Melvin B. Spencer

Melvin Spencer and his twin sister, Melba, were born at the maternity hospital in Murray, Utah to Reuben Benjamin and Edna Brown Spencer on August 11, 1929.  He was the 7th of ten children. 

Melvin was raised in Bluffdale, Utah and he attended school there for the first two years of elementary school. He then attended school in Riverton through the 9th grade and graduated in 1947 from Jordan High School.

His parents were hard workers and expected him to join with other family members in working hard on the farm. Melvin was noted for his friendliness and talked to everyone he encountered – and most always found a connection between them

Melvin was called to serve in the Western States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  While serving, his mission was divided, so he completed his service in the West Central States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Following his mission, he worked for ZCMI as a delivery truck driver. The truck was hit by a car, knocking him out and tipping the truck on top of him.  He was hospitalized for three months.

During his hospitalization, he met, and was cared for by Sheila Richards, a student nurse. After work she changed from her uniform and went back to visit him. After he was released from the hospital, they dated. A couple of years later they married on September 3, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple, the day after Sheila graduated from nursing school. They have been together for 68 years.

Melvin and Sheila have six children: David, Nancy, Keith, Janet, Sally, and JoAnn. Soon after they were married, Melvin purchased land from his father and began building a home for his family. It was completed after the birth of his oldest son. He did all the work on the home and lived there the rest of his life.

Melvin had several jobs through the years and was adept at acquiring new skills and working with people. He studied and taught himself to complete whatever job was at hand. His favorite times were irrigating and working with a tractor in the fields around his home, while working his other jobs.

Service was important to him, whether to church, community, or family. He gladly and faithfully served in many callings and helped many friends through his service. He served as sexton of the Bluffdale Cemetery for eight years and helped build the chapel on the hill in Bluffdale. He served on the Stake High Council, on the Bluffdale Planning Commission, and as President of the Canal Company.

Melvin was an active, life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He gladly and faithfully served in many church callings. Melvin and Sheila served as service/site missionaries in the Palmyra, New York Mission. Following the mission, they were able to travel and see interesting places throughout the world.

He will be greatly missed and remembered for his kindness, helpfulness, and quick wit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, most of his siblings and his son, Keith.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Sheila, his children, David (Sue), Nancy (David), Janet, Sally, JoAnn (Duane) and by a brother, Howard (Barbara).  Also, he is survived by 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 12:00 noon at the church at 14400 S., Redwood Road, Bluffdale, Utah, with a viewing from 10:45 to 11:45 am prior to services.  A viewing will also be held Friday, November 25, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 S. 2200 W., Riverton, Utah.

Interment will be at Bluffdale Cemetery, 14229 S. Redwood Road, Bluffdale, Utah.

Funeral may be viewed online at

https://zoom.us/j/97508692238