March 25, 1934-June 30, 2024
Joyce Anna (Pollard) Ohlwiler, 90, passed away June 30, 2024, in St. George, Utah. She was born March 25, 1934, in Los Angeles, California to Gustavus Elzie Jr. and Ava Chrystine (Moseley) Pollard. She was the youngest of 3 daughters. She grew up with a wonderful mother and their home was one of family traditions, especially at Christmastime. Joyce had a love for Christmas and always carried on those traditions with her own family.
She met her future husband Jerrold (Jerry) Ohlwiler at a church dance, but she was 15 and he was 18 so she wasn’t interested in him at first. They were in the same Ward, Manchester Ward in Los Angeles, California. In time they became great friends, but it wasn’t until he was leaving for the Korean War that she realized she loved him. While on leave in April of 1952 Jerry surprised her by coming to her home and it is there that he proposed, and they were married July 8, 1952, in the St. George, Utah Temple which at that time was the closest temple to California. Jerry and Joyce had 3 beautiful children, Mike, Mark, and Carol. They had a wonderful life together raising their children in a loving gospel-centered home in Southern California. As a family they loved to camp, watch movies, and work together. She lost her beloved Jerry 30 years ago to cancer and her cherished son Mike 11 years ago to cancer.
Joyce loved to travel, visiting 19 countries and 48 states. Her final trip with Jerry was to Australia which she always treasured since he passed away shortly thereafter. She loved to garden, especially roses. She was an avid reader and especially loved Victoria Holt and James Patterson novels. But her favorite was reading and studying the Book of Mormon.
She worked full-time most of her adult life and her two stand out positions where she worked as the credit and collections manager for Highlander Publications then later for Channell Commercial Corporation as accounts payable manager. She had a talent for being an exceptional communicator and had a way with numbers, so she was often recognized, including as Employee of the Month.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life. She served in many church positions, but her favorite was being an early morning seminary teacher for 13 straight years. She loved teaching youth and helping them develop their relationship with Jesus Christ. She served as an ordinance worker in the San Diego Temple for several years. After she retired from Channell she was called as a Church-Service Missionary beginning March 27, 2012, where she served at the Bishop’s Storehouse (food pantry) for 4 years and then she served an additional 4 years as a volunteer there. This brought her so much joy by serving others. SoJoyce relocated from Murrieta, California to St. George, Utah, in November 2020 to be nearby Mark and Jodi who had relocated to Washington, Utah, the month prior.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Kathryn and Betty, husband Jerry and son Mike. She is survived by her loving and devoted son Mark (Jodi) Ohlwiler who were by her side until she went to her heavenly home, beautiful daughter Carol Ohlwiler, seven grandchildren, Amber, Diana, Cory, Lauren, Dane, Garrett, and Hayden, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
We love you mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, and friend. Until we meet again, we know you are surrounded by your loving family in Heaven and hopefully Jerry completed the waterfall he promised would be waiting for you.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 18, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2434 Riverside Dr. St. George, from 6-8 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 26, at the Forest Lawn Cemetery at 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina, California.
Condolences may be shared on the McMillan Mortuary website. Click here to access the website.