Bart Toler Merrill

Bart Toler Merrill was born November 2, 1955, in Downey, Idaho and grew up in Swan Lake, Idaho, a small farming town of about 120 people at the time he lived there. His parents are Lynn and Fay Merrill. He was raised on a dairy farm. He grew up milking cows, running tractors, harvesting alfalfa and grain, watering crops, as well as the myriad other tasks a farm requires. He was the second of 5 kids and oldest boy. He attended school in Downey, Idaho through 8th grade and then attended Marsh Valley High School located in the middle of a hay field, graduating in 1974.

Bart attended Brigham Young University in Provo for one year, then served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Thailand Bangkok Mission from 1975–1977. He returned and went back to attending BYU. He majored in Agricultural Economics. He always loved numbers, working with money and helping people. He graduated from BYU in December 1981. This was the start of a lifelong love and support of his BYU Cougars.

Bart met the love of his life, Diane Squire, at BYU her first year in attendance in 1977. They dated for one year and were married on May 1, 1979, in the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were partners and best friends for over 47 years. They are the proud parents of four children.

He worked at the Mission Training Center, Provo High School, and other locations as a custodian while he was completing his degree. He owned his own business in Provo for a short while prior to graduating.

He and his family moved to Enterprise, Utah, upon graduating to work for Zions Bank. He worked there for 33 years, retiring as a Branch Manager in 2015. He turned down other job offers and promotions to stay and raise his family in Enterprise. He worked long days, including before and after office hours, often on weekends and holidays to accommodate and serve the people of the community. He closed many loans after 8 p.m. He loved putting the people first. He truly understood what customer service was and enjoyed helping people any way he could.

He also served the community of Enterprise as a volunteer firefighter for years, as a city council member for two terms receiving the most votes in both elections. He also served as a member of the local medical clinic board when it was first established in Enterprise, on the Economic Development Board for the city, and was currently serving as a community representative on the Southwest Mosquito Abatement Board, an appointment from the city council for the past several years.

Bart was full of life and humor, known for teasing and practical jokes amongst all those around him. His witty humor and favorite mantra, "Don't worry. Be happy," is something he will forever be remembered by.

Bart also served in many callings and offices for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a Seventy, bishopric counselor and Executive Secretary, with one of his favorite callings serving as an Executive Secretary to three different stake presidencies for 16 years, and as Bishop to his ward. He loved serving the Lord, his family and the people of Enterprise.

Bart was a fighter right to the end. He fought hard and was winning against stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer and congestive heart failure. He fended off a heart attack and other health challenges for over six and a half years. His family was proud of his courageous efforts and will to live.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Diane; four loving children and their spouses: Nathan (Carly) Merrill, Jordan (Talia) Merrill, Larissa (Mike) Bruner, and Logan (Sierra) Merrill:16 beloved grandchildren (which includes 4 sets of twins); and his siblings: Debbie (Wes) Wardell, Glen (Julia) Merrill, Randy (Liz) Merrill, and Tammy (Doug) Moyle.

After his and Diane's retirement they were finally able to do some traveling together to see new and beautiful places of the world. They have traveled to China, Viet Nam, his beloved Thailand twice, drove a three-week road trip across the country to visit church history and national historic sites, two Alaskan cruises, a church cruise to the Mexican Riviera, a cruise to the Mediterranean stopping in Italy, France, and Spain, and he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on a long-awaited Hawaiian cruise on January 15, 2026. His family misses him dearly but knows he is surrounded by many loved ones on the other side of the veil.

His family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who cared for him along his cancer/heart journey these past years, as well as the many angels that were sent to be there for his sweet wife during some of the most difficult days.

Funeral services for Bart will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with viewing on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 5–7 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9–10:30 a.m. at the Enterprise Stake Center for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 80 South Center Street, Enterprise, Utah. Interment will be in the Enterprise City Cemetery, 501 East 100 North Enterprise, Utah.

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