Von Whiting

Von D. Whiting, 85, of Vernal, Utah passed away on January 23, 2024, of natural causes following a brief slowdown from his daily routine of working around his yard and fields, and checking on his bulls. Until about 2 months ago Von would have told you he was “fine as frog’s hair!”

Von was born on August 26, 1938, to Paul D. Whiting and Frances Mecham in Provo, Utah. He was raised in Neola and would rather be fishing, hunting or shooting a gun than in school. He graduated from Union High School and immediately entered the school of hard knocks and hard work. He never slowed down.

He married Yoma Slaugh on March 16, 1960, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for 53 years and had 4 sons. Yoma passed away in 2013 and without her Von was lost. He wanted companionship, and he needed someone to cook and clean for him! 

With the help of his longtime pal and neighbor Darris Chivers he jumped into a world previously unknown to him – the online world of LDS Planet.com and met Marie Darner of Colorado When he married Marie in 2014 the tables were turned and Von learned how to cook, clean and care for someone else. Which he did for Marie until her death in October 2019. 

Seeking companionship once again Von met Renee Young at the Uintah Senior Center. They were married on December 16, 2019. Renee understood Von and he found the companionship, care and love he sought. Renee and their dog Rags never left Von’s side.

Renee got Von to live a little – she got him to take his first airplane ride (he loved it) to Orlando, Florida. Together they cruised the Caribbean. Von wasn’t thrilled about being on the water, but he loved the food! All you can eat – it reminded him of his favorite restaurants, Golden Corral and Chuck-A-Rama. They also went on road trips to Montana, Idaho and to Nevada where Von got a ride along in a NASCAR race car.

Von worked on the rigs, at American Gilsonite, Zigler Chemical and Stauffer Phosphate Mine (now Simplot). But where he excelled was in business for himself as contractor, remodeling foreclosed homes for resale and working on his own rental properties with the help of his wife, Yoma. He was self-taught and a hard worker. Part of the secret to his success was his frugality. 

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is no way curtailed his colorful language, which he was known for. As one young family member remarked, “Uncle Von needs his own swear jar!” 

He is survived by his wife, Renee, his three sons, Shane (Donnel), Neola, Jimmy (Monica) Vernal, Dirk (Jamie), Vernal, 19 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren. His siblings Pauline (Glen) Durfey, Beverly (Lynn) Allie, JoAnn Brooksby, and Blaine (Lezlee) Whiting.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Yoma and Marie, his infant son Waylynn, great-grandson Sawyer Whiting, and sister Myrna Collotzi.

Funeral Services will be conducted Friday, January 26, 2024 at 11 am at the Davis 4th Ward Chapel (1500 E 3990 S). Viewings will be held Thursday, January 25th from 6-8 pm at the Blackburn Mortuary and Friday from 9:45-10:45 prior to service at the chapel. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park.