Zona McDonald Dayton

Zona McDonald Dayton left her earthly life on March 30, 2026, surrounded by her family. Zona was born on March 8, 1937, to Clifford McDonald and Lucy Delores Casper in Phoenix, Arizona. Her father, suffering from arthritis, took his family to Arizona for the winter. She was born in a friend's home who suggested she be named Zona. They returned to Daniel in Wasatch County Utah where she attended schools in Daniel and Charleston. Zona loved school so much and was always an excellent student. The best day of her life was when she was surprised with a piano. She was diligent at piano lessons and was playing the old pump organ in church when she was twelve. She was very close with her father, helping him on the farm and in his cabinet shop. He died very young, at age 45, when she was only 12. Her older siblings Olena, Russell and Wayne had already left the home. Zona and her mother were alone for three years before Delores married Arnold Johnson in which Zona gained three stepsisters, one stepbrother and a very nice stepfather. She always had plenty of friends, whether she was living in Heber, or in Daniel during the summer months.

Zona graduated from Wasatch High School where she was student body treasurer and top in her class. She loved seminary and was always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She met Gary Dayton in an algebra class and soon it was love forever. They married February 1, 1954, and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple one year later. After marriage, they lived in Heber City for two years, then moved to the Provo/Orem area where they lived out their lives. They always had a view of Mount Timpanogos, which they enjoyed so much. Gary became the owner of the Wilkinson Center Barber Shop on the BYU campus. Zona was his accountant for 45 years. They were the parents of three sons and one daughter and enjoyed many fun activities with these wonderful children. Zona became an expert at packing all the food and equipment for their many camping trips. She learned to water ski at Bear Lake and Lake Powell. When the kids married, Zona loved helping them find and fix up their homes. Zona loved cooking and published a cookbook in honor of her mother. She also loved gardening and spent hours each day working in the yard, which resulted in having the most beautiful flowers and hillside. She enjoyed writing poems for everyone in the family and her grandchildren received a poem each birthday; hundreds of poems were composed.

At age 55 she joined Realty Associates and enjoyed being a realtor for the next 26 years. Never working out of the home before, she was determined not to be a failure, so she gave it her all and became one of the top real estate agents in Utah County. Gary and Zona bought a small home in St. George and served a mission at the St. George Historic Sites in 2003-2004. They spent 15 winters in the sunshine which really helped Zona's rheumatoid arthritis, which her father and grandmother had suffered with as well. Despite many ailments, she felt very blessed all her life. Zona and Gary lost their son, Lynn, at age 56, and she felt strengthened and received peace from the Lord to go forth.

Zona was proud of her 65 years of faithful visiting teaching and proud of having 69 successful years of marriage. Her sweetheart, Gary, passed away in July 2023, six months away from their 70th wedding anniversary. They left a legacy of 16 grandchildren and 54 great grandchildren.

She had patience and understanding for everyone and everything. Caring for her sweet husband after his accident became her goal. She was an eternal optimist who was always happy, never complained and maintained a positive attitude in all circumstances. She was incredibly generous and Christ-like. She had a strong testimony of Heavenly Father, trusted in the Lord, and believed in the Prophet Joseph Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Delores McDonald; stepfather, Arnold Johnson; husband, Gary D. Dayton; son, Lynn G. Dayton; sister, Olena Noble Baker; brother, Russell McDonald; brother, Wayne McDonald; sister-in-law, Mary Jane McDonald. She is survived by her son, Cliff (Jeannie) Dayton of Pleasant Grove; daughter, Deanna (Todd) Ashman of Orem; son, Roger (Jennefer) Dayton of Orem; daughter-in-law, Marty Dayton (Gordon) Farr of Snowflake, Arizona; 12 granddaughters, 4 grandsons, and 54 great grandchildren.

Mr. Day, Zona’s literature teacher at Wasatch High School wrote the following in her yearbook, “A wonderful student in person, a ‘divine curiosity’ which makes you gain knowledge; a keen intelligence to interpret it and apply it; a loving nature, which makes you bless others with it. All this and a sweet kid too.”

The family thanks Renew Hospice and Covington Assisted Living of Orem for their wonderful care during Zona’s last 3 months.

An evening viewing will be held on Sunday, April 5, 2026, from 6-8 pm at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 450 East 2000 North, Orem, with a viewing held that morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in Heber City Cemetery, 680 North 550 East, Heber, Utah.

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For those unable to attend the services in person, you may view the Livestream HERE