Mariner Donald Munk

Howell - Mariner D. Munk, 89, has returned home to his loving Heavenly Father. He passed away peacefully of congestive heart failure at his home in Howell, UT, October 3, 2011. He was born August 10, 1922 in the original Munk farm house in Howell to Oliver M. and Kate Viva Cranney Munk.
He attended Howell and McKinley Elementary Schools and was promoted from the 3rd to the 5th grade. He graduated from Bear River High School in 1939 and attended BYU.
He served in the U.S. Air Force in 1942 and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was trained as a radio operator and was stationed in England. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and attended Utah State Agricultural College before serving an Eastern States LDS mission from 1947 to 1949.
He married his sweetheart Gwen Fackrell in the Logan LDS Temple April 7, 1949. Mariner and Gwen raised their family on the Howell Family Farm. He was a successful dry-farmer raising wheat and Ranger Alfalfa Seed. He raised turkeys, sheep, and did custom bulldozing. He was forced to retire last year when his health began to decline. He was very innovative and had the ability to keep old machinery productive.
He and Gwen enjoyed the past 22 winters in Mesa, AZ. Mariner was an award-winning horseshoe pitcher and a member of the Northern Utah Horseshoe Pitching Association. He loved to discuss farming, science, sports, statistics, and machinery repair. He loved playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was known for his mischievous sense of humor. He especially liked to take a stand and defend it in a spirited exchange with his sons-in-law and other friends.
Mariner served in many positions in the LDS Church including Bishop, High Priest Group Leader and financial clerk.
He is survived by his wife, Gwen; children: Marilyn M. Carlson, Orem; Kim I Elaine Munk, Wellsville and Howell; Leslie Jill Munk, Howell; Valene Lee Hillman, West Jordan; Judi Brett Milligan M. Jorgensen, Howell; his brother, Melvin R. Munk, St. George; sister, Dorothy M. Loveland, Boise, ID; 21 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jerald O. Munk, infant sister Marjorie Ruth Munk, two great-grandchildren, Braydon Jared Grover and KateDee Jill Searle.
The family would like to thank friends and family for their love and support at this difficult time, and CNS Love Hospice for the wonderful way they cared for Mariner and helped lighten mother's load.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Howell Ward LDS Chapel 16035 North 17400 West, Howell. Friends may call Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home, 111 North 100 East, Tremonton and Saturday at the church from 9:30 – 10:40 a.m. Interment will be at the Howell Cemetery where Military Honors will be accorded.