March 12, 1932-April 13, 2022
Our beloved husband, father and grandfather Von Cannon – born to Nellie Tabitha and Angus Munn Cannon and married to the love of his life Marilyn Winger Cannon – passed away peacefully in his home at the golden age of 90.
Von Cannon grew up in Torrey, Wayne County, Utah. When he was still just a baby of 18 months old, both his father and maternal grandfather were killed in a car accident in Sigurd, Utah, leaving Von’s bereft mother alone with five of her six children (Effie had died three and a half years earlier), and her own grieving mother. Von grew up without knowing his own father. He was raised not only by his mother, but his loving, dedicated, big brother Bill. Even though Bill was 12 years older, he never began his own eternal family until Von had married Marilyn and Bill was assured that Von would be okay and happy in life.
From the time when Von was very young, he was always with his big brother, Bill, which meant that Von grew up on the back of a horse. He learned the backcountry of Wayne County, he learned to fish, hunt, work hard, cut lumber and of course, ride a horse. Von’s favorite memories of growing up always included camping with his older brothers and sitting around the campfire with them telling stories.
Von skipped a grade in elementary school and graduated from Wayne High School a year early, and at the top of his class, at the age of 17. He received college scholarships from both BYU and Snow College, but due to an appendectomy at the age of seventeen, all his college savings had to pay for his surgery and medical bills. Eventually, Von was able to attend LDS Business College in Salt Lake City where he studied accounting. He was hired by Packaging Cooperation of America to work in the plant running the machinery to make cardboard shipping containers. He was later promoted to shipping supervisor.
It was while Von was living in Salt Lake City that he was introduced to his future wife, Marilyn Winger, by his cousin Naurine (Toni) Cannon. They were married in 1953 and continued living in the Salt Lake area.
Von acquired many trophies and awards from bowling and golfing with his company leagues. He later coached his oldest son in Little League, shot hoops in the driveway with his older children, played baseball in the backyard with his kids and taught the boys how to hit golf balls over the fence into the field beyond. Later in life, his sons would take him golfing with them. Most of us kids would also go out with Dad on the Arizona strip to practice shooting at targets or clay pigeons. Two of Von’s daughters had bragging rights over his sons a few times on these adventures.
Von loved the outdoors and loved camping, fishing and hunting with his family. This is one of the many legacies that is still continuing on with his children and grandchildren. Von loved to garden and grow food for his family He loved to build things in his shop. He made bookshelves, cradles, cabinets, curio shelves, high chairs and other wonderful gifts. Von was gifted with his hands. He could fix and repair almost anything and used this gift to serve others.
Von lived an exemplary life. He was an avid disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. He served LDS church callings in ward and stake levels. After he was married, Von served a full-time mission as a stake proselyting missionary. He later served another mission in the St. George Utah Family History Center with his wife Marilyn. Afterward, he served as an ordinance worker in the St. George Utah Temple baptistry, with Marilyn by his side.
Von Cannon was loved and revered by all in his family and extended family. He is survived by his loving wife,Marilyn Winger Cannon; six children: Kathy (Kenneth) Bentley, Gordon Cannon, Kris (Jim) Nelson, Doug (Cindy) Cannon, Jo (Scott) Woodbury, Greg (Heather) Cannon; 19 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter; and sister-in-law Daphne Cannon.
Von was the last living patriarch of his family generation. He was preceded in death by his parents – Nellie Tabitha Behunin and Angus Munn Cannon of Torrey, Utah; all five of his siblings and their spouses – Bert (Golda) Cannon, Effie Cannon, Bill (Lora Mae) Cannon, Dale Cannon, and Fay Cannon; one daughter-in-law – Christy Cannon; one granddaughter – Tami Nelson; and two grandsons – Alix Cannon and Brody Nelson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Bloomington Hills Stake Center, 1130 East Brigham Road, St. George. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to services, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George.
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Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.