Neil Maughan

On September 20, 1938, Edwin Neil F. Maughan was born to Lucretia Fish Maughan and Cyril Poppleton Maughan in Brigham City, Utah. As soon as he arrived, the doctor, who was also his uncle exclaimed, “Good heavens, there’s another one,” and shortly thereafter Neil’s twin brother, Newell was born.

Neil was raised in Preston, Idaho, alongside his twin brother and two sisters. From a young age, he was energetic, mischievous, and full of fun-loving pranks. In high school, he participated on both the swim team and the football team, forming many lifelong friendships.

In 1958, Neil left home to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central Atlantic States Mission. He returned in 1960 and enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he attended for a year, then transferred to Utah State University. He cheered for the Cougars and the Aggies his whole life. But it should be known if they played each other He cheered for the Aggies.

In June of 1961, Neil met Marsha Chatterton while working at Premium Oil on Main Street in Preston, Idaho. Little did he know when she invited him up home for a slice of Chocolate cake that day, that by December 15th they’d be married and starting their life together.

They lived in Logan while Neil attended Utah State University, majoring in Public Health. In 1963, he joined the United States Air Force, beginning Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, followed by Navigator School in Waco, Texas. After completing training, he was assigned to Kelly Air Force Base, where he flew aboard the C-124 Globemaster.

In 1965, after three years of marriage, Neil and Marsha were approved to adopt through Texas Cradle Society. Within a month, they brought home a baby girl whom they named Michele. They would later adopt Michael, Maria, and Morey.

Throughout Neil’s Air Force career, he and Marsha were stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines; Zweibrücken, Germany; multiple bases in Texas; Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona; Hill Air Force Base in Utah; and Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

After adopting four children and no longer qualifying with adoption agencies, and following 16 years of infertility, Neil and Marsha were blessed with four biological children: Melanie, Matthew, Marshall, and Meredith. Neil often joked that he had “two waves” of children, the older four and the younger four.

Neil honorably served 20 years in the United States Air Force. After retiring from military service, he put his education to use working for the Salt Lake County Health Department, first in emissions control and later in health and sanitation. He retired in 2009 after 25 years of civilian service.

In September 2009, Neil and Marsha served together on a military relations mission at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where they assisted and supported military personnel undergoing basic training. They also served faithfully as temple workers at the Bountiful Utah Temple for 14 years.

Neil was widely known for his quiet, tireless service to others. He spent countless hours planting gardens, fixing neighbors’ cars, repairing washing machines, and even trading automotive repairs for voice lessons. He hand-dug and removed every box elder bug tree from his three-quarter-acre property. When Les Misérables came to town, Neil would stand in line at 4:00 a.m. to buy tickets for his family, and anyone else who wanted to attend his favorite broadway show.

He rarely did anything just for himself, except make ice cream gallon buckets of salsa and sheet pans of apple pie bars to share with anyone who stopped by. Neil was an early riser and could be found shoveling sidewalks in the winter before the sun could sparkle on it, not just his own, but the entire cul-de-sac and often farther down the road. His service inspired others to follow his example, creating a ripple effect of kindness throughout the neighborhood. This legacy of service lives on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Neil is survived by his beloved wife, Marsha; his children: Michele Wright, Michael Maughan, Maria Maughan (Steve Cecil), Morey Maughan (Jessica), Melanie Arkoudas (Ryan), Matthew Maughan (Brittney), Marshall Maughan (Rondi); 31 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law; his mother- and father-in-law; and his daughter, Meredith.

We wish to express our deepest love and our sincerest gratitude for all the love and care shown to our family over this past month. We have grieved more than we ever knew possible and we have been strengthened by those who have shown up and were present with us as we carried our heavy cross. You have all truly made our burdens a bit easier to bear.

There will be a viewing on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Steed Creek Chapel, 347 South 200 West, Farmington, Utah.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the same location. A brief viewing will precede the service beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a family prayer at 9:45 a.m.

The burial will be in Cub River Idaho at the Mapleton Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24th, 2026. Friends and family are invited to attend the dedication of the grave.