Marlan Asay Allphin

Marlan Asay Allphin

March 5, 1929 – Oct. 13, 2022

Marlan Asay Allphin passed away Oct. 13, 2022, in Provo, Utah, of causes incident to age. He was born March 5, 1929, in Lovell, son of Myra Asay and George Kerry Allphin. Marlan, or Mick as he was known, was the youngest of 10 children.

Marlan grew up enjoying the outdoors and loved fishing with his brothers and cousins. He learned to hunt with his dad and especially enjoyed trips to Yellowstone with his extended family. During World War II, Mick moved to San Diego, California, where his dad worked at a naval base and his mom delivered mail. Some of his fondest memories are camping on the beach and spending time with family who were living there at the time.

Following the war, Mick returned to his hometown, attending Lovell High School, where he was a star player on the basketball team. Following graduation, he was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States Mission, laboring the entire time in Mississippi. He grew to love the people of the South and had many great adventures while strengthening his testimony and love for the Savior.

Mick’s father passed away unexpectedly toward the end of his mission, but rather than return home, he followed his mother’s wishes and stayed for the remainder of his call. He came home and helped support his mother while learning the plastering trade with his uncle Rueben.

Mick was drafted into the Army during the Korean conflict. While he hated leaving his mother, he was proud to serve his country. Miraculously, he was sent to Germany rather than Korea, where his commanding officer found out Mick was a plasterer. He was immediately assigned to supervise a crew of German craftsmen, who helped him renovate war-damaged buildings. On his days off, Mick was able to tour several countries in Europe and loved visiting museums there.

Following his discharge, Mick enrolled at Brigham Young University with hopes of becoming a high school basketball coach. It was there that he met and married Ann Stanford Hopkins. After graduating they moved to Shelley, Idaho, where Mick taught seminary. After teaching for three years he and his growing family moved to Spanish Fork, Utah, where they spent the next 40 years.

Mick presided in a home filled with love as he and Ann raised eight children and welcomed friends and family. The Allphins’ beautiful backyard was the venue for scores of memorable parties, reunions and mosquitoes.

Mick worked in a variety of fields including plastering, education and retail grocery, even owning his own grocery store in Spanish Fork called Mick’s Market.” He retired after working as a custodian for the LDS Church, which provided him many wonderful memories and some great health insurance.

After retirement, Ann and Mick served a mission in Benemerito, Mexico City, Mexico. Ann taught English at the school while Mick taught at the Agricultural Institute mentoring returned missionaries.

After returning home they moved from Spanish Fork to Washington, Utah, to enjoy the sun. It took some doing, but Mick once again became a master gardener in a whole different climate. They loved their time there and made many good friends, becoming well known and loved in the area. Ann passed away in 2013. 

Marlan continued to live in their home until 2021 when he moved to Provo, Utah, living in Legacy Village, where he had wonderful care and made many new friends. We extend our thanks to the many staff members who cared for him. We especially appreciate his hospice nurse Bonnie, who gave him great care and kindness.

Marlan passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and was welcomed with great joy by many loved ones who had gone before. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son Steve, grandchildren Billy Allphin and Megan Bates and great-grandson Ryan Jensen.

He is survived by his children, Mary Ann (Scott) Petersen of Riverdale, Idaho, Susan (Donnell) Ostler of Highland, Utah, Joe (Marcie) Allphin of Lindon, Utah, Will (JoDeann) Allphin of Las Vegas, Nevada, Julie (Jamie) Dulaney of Greensboro, North Carolina, Mark (Edna) Allphin of Springville, Utah, and Kathryn Watters of Provo Utah, 43 grandchildren and 61 great-grandchildren.

A viewing was held Friday, Oct. 28, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at the Lindon Central Stake Center at 56 E 600 N in Lindon, Utah. Marlan was laid to rest in the Washington, Utah, cemetery next to his wife on Saturday, Oct. 29. There was a graveside service at 1 p.m. with military honors prior to burial.

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