Donnell E. Wardle

On July 31, 1925, a remarkable man was born. Ninety years later, he has returned home with honor after a life of service and dedication to God, country and family. Donnell E. Wardle was born in Vernal, Utah, the son of Heber and Suzanna Wardle. A kind and humble man of simple means, Don always knew what mattered most and conducted his life with that focus. He married his best friend, Marie Batty, in 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple. Don and Marie were the proud parents of three daughters, Charlene (Kenneth) Horne, Marlene (Darrell) Bott and Melinda (Dan) Jensen, all of whom adored their dad. Don worked his entire life for Chevron Oil Company in the Uinta Basin, climbing the company ladder from roustabout to Field Manager -- a testament to his character as a hard and honest worker. Don was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a Bishop, a full-time missionary in the Chicago Temple, a temple ordinance worker in Vernal, Provo and Bountiful, and in many other callings. Don was a lifelong member of the Lions Club International, including a term as District Governor, spending countless hours making friends and serving the blind and others in the community. He was an excellent singer and temple organist. A fighter to the very end, Don was part of America's Greatest Generation who served proudly in the United States Army during World War II. Don's last earthly adventure was to travel with the Honor Flight program last fall to see the memorials in his honor in Washington, D.C. He now joins the ranks of those who served faithfully to the end. Don is survived by his three daughters, 17 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. We find great comfort thinking about his magnificent reunion with his wife Marie, who he has missed tremendously for 14 years. Now they are together again, forever. We're proud of you dad, and always have been. Thanks for everything. We'll see you in due course. A viewing will be held Sunday evening at the Blackburn Mortuary in Vernal from 6-7. Funeral services will be Monday, April 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bountiful 7th Ward Chapel (1250 South Main), with a viewing at 9:00 that morning. Graveside services, with military honors by the American Legion Vernal Post and the Utah Army National Guard, will be held at 4:00 p.m. that day at the Maeser Fairview Cemetery (400 S. 3500 West) in Vernal. We wish to thank Legacy Village in Layton for the patient and compassionate care shown to our dad. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that you consider a donation to the LDS Humanitarian Fund or the Lions Club. Services are under the direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. www.blackburnvernalmortuary.com