Phyllis’ Obituary
Phyllis Squire Snow
Phyllis Squire Snow came into this world on the 10th of April, 1950. She was the second daughter of Phil Ervil Squire and Ruth Hafen.
Phyllis enjoyed an idyllic childhood on Flood Street in St. George surrounded by many friends and relatives.
She attended local schools, graduating from Dixie High School in the Class of 1968. She was an excellent student and went on to graduate from Dixie College in 1970. That same year she entered Utah State University, ultimately earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Audiology. Her training led to a career working with hearing impaired and sight impaired pre-school children.
While at Utah State she assisted faculty in creating an early intervention program for toddlers. This program was endorsed by the Federal Government and adopted by many states throughout the country. Phyllis was tasked with traveling to these States to train others. During these trips Steven and the boys stayed home and bonded, giving away the frozen meals carefully prepared by Phyllis and instead dining on pizza and take-out.
Phyllis was adored by Steven, who was her high school sweetheart. Following his mission he talked her into marrying him. They married in the St. George Temple on June 25, 1971. They are the parents of four boys who bring them endless joy.
Her interests included reading, sewing, quilting, and handiwork. She learned to ski and went on many hikes, but only to support her boys. Her sons can also attest that her skills are unmatched as a travel agent for guilt trips.
In 1994, Phyllis and her husband were called as mission leaders to preside over the California San Fernando Mission. They loved the young people and senior couples with whom they served.
In 1999, Phyllis was diagnosed with breast cancer, beating the disease over the subsequent year and again prevailing over kidney cancer in 2006.
In 2001, she again set aside her career and served with Steven when he was called as a full-time General Authority Seventy. They spent four years in Africa and fourteen years at headquarters. Everywhere she lived and worked she made many friends who she loves dearly.
Upon their release from full-time service Phyllis and Steven returned to their beloved Southern Utah. During the past three years she has struggled with progressing dementia, which caused her to slowly fade into the night.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Steven, four sons, Eric (Carolyn), Clu (Megan), Riley (Erika), and Garrett (Dayna). She is also the proud grandmother of 17 grandchildren who she loves dearly. She is also survived by her sisters, Bonnie, Sharlene, and Ann and her brother, Jan.
Funeral service will be Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 11:00 am, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. George East Stake Center, adjacent to the temple. A viewing will be held before the service from 9:00 – 10:30 am, at the chapel, as well as Friday, January 19, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah.
Interment will be in the St. George Cemetery, 650 East Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Legacy Village who provided such kind and loving care to Phyllis. Additional thanks goes to Memory Matters for their support and love, particularly Brad & Terry Cottam.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff St., St. George, Utah; (435) 673-2454.
Friends and family are invited to sign Phyllis’ online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.
Phyllis’ Mother’s Obituary
Ruth Hafen Squire, 99, St. George, Utah, passed away on May 7, 2021, surrounded by her family. Ruth was born on March 16, 1922, in the family home on Tabernacle Street to Arthur Knight and Orilla Woods Hafen. Ruth married Phil E. Squire on March 24, 1943, in the St. George Temple.
Ruth was the seventh of fourteen children. She made lifelong friends in the first grade with eight girls known as the ADQ Club. Ruth served faithfully in her callings in Primary, Young Woman’s, and Relief Society as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Her first job was a ticket taker at the Gaiety Theater and then later she was a telephone operator. Once her children were grown, she went back to work as a receptionist at Dr. Cox’s orthodontic office, and she also worked as a switchboard operator at Dixie Regional Medical Center.
Ruth was an original member of the Literary Arts Club and later was honored by the club as an “Orchid Lady”.
Her greatest talent was bringing the family together whether it was with her own children, her siblings, or Phil’s brothers and sisters, she loved being with them always.
Ruth traveled to Switzerland, Africa, Alaska, Branson, Missouri, Hawaii, and a lot of the continental United States. Several of these trips were with her brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her children, Bonnie (Don) Andrus, Orem Utah, Phyllis (Steven) Snow, St. George, Utah, Jan Hafen (Beverly) Squire, Ivins, Utah, Sharlene (Richard) Williams, St. George, Utah, and Ameila Ann (Michael) Herder, St. George, Utah. Ruth is also survived by her 17 grandchildren, 45 great grand-children, and one great great granddaughter. Her brothers, Eldon (Maxine) Hafen, Kelton (Peggy) Hafen, sister Erma Harris and sister-in-law Sharon Hafen.
Ruth was preceded in death by parents Arthur Knight and Orilla Woods Hafen, her husband Phil E. Squire, grandson Landon Williams, brothers Kay, Ferrel, Herschel, Harold, Linford, Kenneth, and Donald, sisters Carma Staheli, Ada Neilson, and LeNora Hobbs.
There will be a viewing on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 9:00 – 10:30 am at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah.
Funeral Service is on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 11:00 am at Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah followed by Interment in the St. George Cemetery, 650 E Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah.
Phyllis’ Father’s Obituary
Phil Ervil Squire, 93, passed away February 7, 2015, in St. George, Utah. He was born June 6, 1921, in LaVerkin, Utah to Loren DeLance and Amelia Sanders Squire. He was sealed to Ruth Hafen, 72 years ago on March 24, 1943 in the St. George Temple while home on furlough from the US Army.
His early life was spent in LaVerkin playing sports, hunting, fishing and anything he could do outdoors with his brothers. Phil especially loved playing baseball. He served in WWII and with the 213th Battalion in Korea. He was office manager for OK Tire Service, worked at McKnight’s Sporting Goods, served on the St. George City Council, and as a volunteer on the Arizona Strip with the BLM.
Always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he served in many positions including several Bishoprics, as Bishop, High Councilor, and he loved teaching the gospel. He served a full time mission with his wife at the St.
George Historical Sites. For twenty one years he served as a sealer in the St. George Temple.
Phil is survived by his wife Ruth and five children; Bonnie (Don) Andrus, Phyllis (Steve) Snow, Jan (Beverly) Squire, Sharlene (Richard) Williams, and Amelia Ann (Michael) Herder, seventeen grandchildren and thirty nine great-grandchildren, his brothers; Don, DuWayne, Adrien, Scott, and sisters, LoRene Turner and Sandra Howard. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers DeLance and Gerald, infant sister and grandson Landon S. Williams.
Funeral services will be Friday, February 13, 2015, at 11am at the East Stake Center in St. George. Family and friends may call Thursday February 12, 2015, from 5-7pm at Spilsbury Mortuary and Friday from 9:30-10:30am at the chapel. Interment will take place in the St. George Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers we invite you to donate to a worthy cause.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Clark Staheli and Deni for their selfless and constant care of our parents.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Phil’s online guestbook at www. spilsburymortuary.com.