"A New Generation of Genuine Care"
Serving all faiths and cultures with their funeral and cremation needs.
435-789-AVFH (2834) | 410 North 800 West Vernal, Utah 84078 | Jphillips@AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com
Meet Our Staff
We are here to guide you and your family every step of the way with dignity and respect. Please call or stop by to meet our staff and take a tour of our facility
Jake Phillips
President/Funeral Director
Jake is a licensed Funeral Director, Preplanning Consultant, and Certified Crematorium Operator with 10+ years experience in the funeral home industry. Jake received his degree from Araphoe College of Mortuary Science and worked for Larkin Mortuary in Salt Lake City. Jake is the son of Mike and Sally Phillips of Vernal, Utah. He attended school in the Basin and graduated from Uintah High. Jake is married to Whitney Robb Phillips and together they have three children.
Jake is actively involved in the community. He is a member of Uintah County Search and Rescue, Vernal Rotary Club, Vernal Chamber of Commerce, National Funeral Directors Association, Utah Funeral Directors Association and a counselor in the Sunday school presidency in his church.
Whitney Phillips
Vice President
Whitney is the daughter of Claye and Kym Robb of Vernal, Utah. She attended school in the Basin and graduated from Uintah High. Her love for softball took her to Kansas to play on a scholarship for a short time, then upon returning she finished her degree at Weber State University graduating in Radiology. She worked for The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) in Murray, Utah for three years until the arrival of her son Caschtian Claye. Shortly after Casch joined their family, they returned to Vernal to begin the funeral business. Jake and Whitney has since welcome two girls into their family Sayler and Navy.
Bruce Jenkins
Funeral Director
Bruce is a licensed Funeral Director and Certified Crematory Operator. Bruce graduated from Cypress College of Mortuary Science in 1986. Bruce brings many years of experience to Ashley Valley Funeral Home. He has worked throughout the United States as a Funeral Director and Crematory Operator.
Ivan Merrell
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. In addition to working with us, he has been employed with Gold Cross Ambulance since 2001. 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.
Kym Robb
Office Manager
Kym B. Robb joined our staff in 2012 as an Office Assistant. She is a native of Vernal, Utah and a daughter of Elden and Gerrie Buckalew. Kym graduated from University of Utah and was an educator for 27 years for Uintah School District. She and her husband Claye Ronald Robb raised their four daughters, Brooke Richins, Whitney Phillips, Kelsi Giles, and Madisen Robb in this beautiful community. After the death of her husband , she desired to serve other families at Ashley Valley Funeral Home understanding their loss and grief during a difficult time.
Danny Klein
Vault & Headstone Operations
Coming Soon
Andrew Grubaugh
Preplanning Consultant
I am the professionally licensed preplanning consultant and after care specialist, with Ashley Valley Funeral Home. I moved to Vernal as a child, earned my Eagle Scout at the young age of 15, while learning some of the most important life values still used today; trustworthy, loyalty, courtesy, bravery, kindness, etc.
One of my biggest role models was my grandfather, my fondest childhood memories were spending summers on his farm, working by his side developing work ethic, and a good sense of humor. He would say “no worky, no eaty” and “the only time its ok to have ice cream is if you’re alone or with someone.” He helped shaped me into the man that I have become.
After graduating from Uintah High I entered into the oilfield. Learning hard work, dedication, endurance, and many other skills. Having a desire to do more with my life, I furthered my education and became a Realtor.
In the summer of 2014, I married my sweetheart, Katie Ann Allred. Being adventurous, we decided to have a small ceremony at our favorite vacation spot; Laguna Beach, CA. A year and a half later we became parents to our little pride and joy, Dean Harold Grubaugh.
Why Preplanning? I chose to become a preplanning consultant to help the families of our community have the opportunity to have the peace of mind knowing that everything is planned, written down, taken care of financially, and preventing undue stress to loved ones. Preplanning is one of the most important decisions you can do for your loved ones. Everyone deserves to be honored and remembered by their life; by their legacy. By preplanning, you can bring the future into the present, and do something about it, now. A funeral is not a day in a lifetime; it is a lifetime in a day.