(1930 – December 7, 2014
Howard Eugene Dransfield passed away peacefully on December 7, 2014, due to complications of congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by his children in his St. George home. Three months prior he was bereft of his beloved wife of 61 years, Joye Ann. His children rejoice that their separation was brief.
Howard will be remembered as a man of integrity, work, and service. His story is one of humble beginnings and of steady progress through industry and discipline. He worked his entire professional life as a valued employee of Mobil Oil Corporation, beginning in service station operations in Los Angeles, and retiring as General Manager of U.S. Marketing at corporate headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. Though very busy in his profession, Howard served generously and tirelessly in many leadership positions in the community, and in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a bishop and in the stake presidency of the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Stake. Following his retirement, Howard and Joyce Ann served two full-time missions to South Africa, where they fell in love with the people and the land.
Above all, Howard served his family, which was the great joy of his life. His children will always remember the way he loved and honored their mother. This love formed the great stability of their home. He taught his children the lessons and principles he had learned as a young man: hard work, commitment to one’s goals, and selfless service. He also valued fun, and time with his family. He led his wife and children to exciting places – everywhere from Yosemite to Nantucket – and offered them many memorable and educational experiences.
Howard was born in Ogden, Utah, in 1930, to Albert Dransfield, an immigrant from England, and Pearl Russon, also of English descent. He served as a full-time LDS missionary to Nottingham, England, and then earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University in business marketing. He married Joye Ann in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1953. Howard is survived by his six children: Mark, Holly, David, Nancy, Scott and Eric.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services for Howard Eugene Dransfield will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. at the Indian Hills chapel, 1282 West 500 South Circle, St. George, Utah.
- A viewing will be Saturday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m., prior to services at the chapel.
- Interment will be in the Tonaquint Cemetery, St. George.
Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, telephone 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Howard’s guestbook at the Spilsbury Mortuary website.