Marion Hill Bowler, age 80, died February 25, 1998, from complications of Alzheimers Disease, in St. George, Utah.
He was born May 19, 1917 in Gunlock, Utah to Francis J. and Annie P. Holt Bowler. He married Jennie Eliza Wadsworth May 1, 1940 in St. George, Utah, later solemnized in the St. George LDS Temple. She preceded him in death in 1986. He married Etheleen Shell August 15, 1987 in Gunlock, Utah.Marion was the owner and manager of the Dixie Appliance Store over 45 years. He also managed the Dixie Theater for many years. As well as being a prominent business man, he spent many years serving the community. He served as mayor of St. George from 1966 to 1974. During his term of office, the Gunlock Dam was built and first golf course in St. George was completed. Previous to being mayor, he was a City Councilman and a member and president of the St. George Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member and past president of the St. George Lions Club for over 50 years, a member of the Elks Club. He served on the Mayors Council for the State of Utah under Governor Calvin Rampton and a member of the Board of Trustees of Dixie Medical Center.
He loved Dixie College and was on the first advisory council for the college and a charter member of the Colonels Club. He was the recipient of the first Dixie College Honorary Associates of Art Degree. He also was presented the Medallion of Southern Utah Honors by Southern Utah University.
Marion was known for his beautiful voice, singing at many civic and church affairs throughout the state, as well as many funerals. He also performed with the Dixie College Program Bureau and was referred to many times as the Singing Mayor.
He was an active member of the LDS Church holding many callings. He also served in the military during World War II. Of all of his accomplishments, his family and friends meant the most to him. His greatest joy was time spent with loved ones. He will be remembered for his selfless service and generosity to all he came in contact with. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Etheleen; one son and three daughters: M. Kenneth (Ann) Bowler, Columbia, Maryland; JoAnn (Ronald) Jensen, Sandy, Utah; Jennifer (Michael) Cuff, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and Jonnie Lyn (Mark) Ormsby, Provo, Utah; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother and four sisters: J.L. Bowler, Mesquite, Nevada; Erma Bracken, Enterprise, Utah; Fern Lytle, St. George, Utah; Wanda McAllister, Las Vegas, Nevada; and Maxine Lindsay, Gunlock, Utah.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 3, 1998, 11 a.m. at the St. George LDS 6th Ward Chapel where friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services and Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 St. George, Utah. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary, 673-4221.