ORANGEVILLE - Janice Poland Spencer, 81, passed away at her home in Orangeville, UT on Friday, June 23, 2017 due to congestive heart failure.
Janice was born in Hiawatha, UT on April 2, 1936 to George H. Poland and Rebecca Hardy Poland. The family moved to West Valley, UT where Janice lived through her adolescence. Later, she enrolled at the University of Utah and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Janice was a dedicated educator, teaching for a short time in Salt Lake and for nearly two decades in the Emery County School District at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels.
Janice married Gerry DeMille Spencer in the Logan, UT LDS temple on February 1, 1963. They lived in East Millcreek, Salt Lake County for nearly 12 years before moving to Orangeville where they established deep roots. Always arm in arm, the couple has celebrated over 50 years of loving partnership.
Janice and Gerry served two full-time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They spent two years with the Lakota tribe in Eagle Butte, SD for the Church Educational System and shortly after, 18 months as temple workers in the Washington DC temple.
In addition to her charitable service in the church, Janice kept busy in the community, actively participating in the Republican Party and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She served as the DUP local camp president and remained involved long after.
Janice was a life-long enthusiast of music (playing both the piano and organ), history, art, and gardening. Reading was breathing; she was never without a book. She truly loved and had endless drive for family history work.
Janice is beloved and survived by her husband, Gerry Spencer; their children Pamela Spencer Heaton (Brent) and grandchildren Spencer and John; Steven Spencer (Nona) and grandchildren Michelle Spencer Stone (Garrett) and great-grandson Anderson, Ethan Spencer, Emerson Ayers, Quinton Ayers and Graham Ayers; Nathan Spencer (Heidi) and grandchildren Emily Riordan (Michael), Kaitlin, Jacob, Alex and Savannah; Catherine Spencer Zwahlen (Stephen) and grandchildren Zachary, Ethan and Sophia; and her siblings Barbara Beatty (Jim), Georgia Perkins (Vic), Nadine McCafferty (Pat), Becky Larsen (Gary), and Jim Poland (Betty).
She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Ralph Poland, and son, Christopher Spencer.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., in the Orangeville 3rd Ward LDS Chapel, 165 West 800 North, Castle Dale. A viewing will be Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary, 720 North Center, Castle Dale, and on Thursday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will follow in the Orangeville City Cemetery entrusted to Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guestbook and share memories of Janice at www.fausettmortuary.com.