Mortuary | On-Site Cremation | Pre-Planning | Headstones/Monuments
Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
Owner / Funeral Director
Jake is a licensed Funeral Director, Preplanning Consultant, and Certified Crematorium Operator with over a decade of experience in the funeral home industry. Before opening Ashley Valley Funeral Home Jake worked for Larkin Mortuary in Salt Lake City.
Jake is married to Whitney Robb Phillips and together they have four children: Casch, Sayler, Navy and Lochlan; and a set of quadruplets who passed away shortly after birth Ocean, Knox, Piper and Lola.
Jake is actively involved in the community. He is a member of Vernal Chamber of Commerce, National Funeral Directors Association, Utah Funeral Directors Association and the Membership Clerk in his church.
Jake enjoys aviation and fishing with his children and wife.
Owner
Whitney is the daughter of Claye and Kym Robb of Vernal, Utah. She attended school in the Basin and graduated from Uintah High.
Whitney is a mother of four Caschtian, Sayler, Navy and Lochlan; and a mother of quadruplets that passed away shortly after birth Ocean, Knox, Piper and Lola.
Whitney is involved in the community by volunteering at the Terra Academy and serving as a Young Women's Secretary at her Church.
Pre-Planning Consultant / Aftercare
Kathy considers herself a lifetime resident of the Uintah Basin although she did live in Ada, Oklahoma for 5 years. Kathy and her husband Eloy Torres have been married for 41 years and raised 4 beautiful children, one son and three daughters. The wonderful world of horses has always played a major role in their lives. Having served on the Dinosaur Round-UP Rodeo Committee, a member of Vernal Trail Blazers, Rising Star Rider's, 4-H and lifetime members of the Utah State High School Rodeo association.
Funeral Director
Pre-Planning Secretary
Front Desk
Funeral Director's Assistant
Ivan Merrell started with the Ashley Valley Funeral Home when we first opened our doors. The son of Randy and LouAnn Merrell he is a Vernal native. He is married to Hollie Merrell and they have two rambunctious boys, Luken and Dylan. Working in EMS as well as having suffered the loss of close family members has blessed Ivan with the ability to empathize with those who are experiencing the grief of a loved one’s passing.
Funeral Director's Assistant
Facility Dog