(September 18, 1928 – June 30, 2015)
Grace Sullivan Esplin, 86, passed away on June 30, 2015, due to complications of heart disease and a stroke. She was born on September 18, 1928, in Hurricane, Utah, to Frank and Ellen McMullin Sullivan. She married Darlo Esplin on March 24, 1949, in the St. George Temple.
Grace was raised on a farm in Hurricane, Utah, where she attended school until the seventh grade. She then moved with her parents to St. George. She graduated from Woodward Junior High and Dixie High School. She first remembers seeing Darlo in the seventh grade. They dated throughout high school and after their marriage, they moved to Logan to attend Utah State University. Their first daughter, Shirlee, was born in Logan. Grace and Darlo raised their five children in St. George where Darlo supported the family as a rancher.
Grace was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held many callings in the primary, relief society and young women’s organizations.
Grace enjoyed traveling and was able to see Japan, the Holy Land, Europe and Russia. Grace always had a project in the works. Most benefited her grandchildren with gifts of personalized porcelain dolls, Raggedy Ann/Andy dolls, jewelry boxes, quilts and many other projects.
Above all, Grace loved being a mother and grandmother. She dedicated her life to teaching her family the values of faith in God, work, responsibility and honesty. She taught this by word and by her example. She treated everyone with respect regardless of their station in life.
She is survived by her husband, Darlo Esplin, of St. George and by her children, Kelly Esplin (Danna) of Cedar City, Lori Hafen (Hans) of Santa Clara, Craig Esplin (Kelly Ann) of Boise, Idaho and Bradley Esplin (Bizzy) of St. George. Grace’s posterity includes 22 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Shirlee (1972), her parents Frank and Ellen McMullin Sullivan, and by her five older siblings, Irma, Frank, Pauline, Mac and La Donna.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be Monday, July 6, at 11 a.m. at the St. James LDS Chapel, 1095 E. St. James Place, St. George.
- A visitation will be Sunday, July 5, from 6-8 p.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George, and Monday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the chapel.
- Interment will take place at the St. George Cemetery.
The family would like to express appreciation to Abbey Hafen, Sadie Tanner and Morris and Kim Berry for their compassionate and dedicated care of Grace during her last few weeks of life.
Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454.