Melva Ann Zillner

Melva Ann Smith Zillner peacefully passed away on February 5, 2015 in Murray, Utah. Melva was born on November 23, 1930 in Sandy, Utah, to Olive Hogan and John L Smith. She grew up in Sandy and graduated from Jordan High School, class of 1948. Melva's love of learning and travel influenced her to attend Brigham Young University, where she studied German and French. She used her education as she served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Swiss-Austrian mission, where she served from 1953-1955. She returned from her mission to BYU and was among the first women ever to be awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. With her scholarship, Melva attended the University of Graz in Austria for one year before returning to graduate from BYU with Honors in 1956. While in Austria, she met her future sweetheart and eternal companion of 57 years, Josef Zillner. They married in the Swiss Temple on July 6, 1957 and chose to make their home in Midvale, Utah. In addition to raising 5 beautiful daughters, Melva was an active member of her community and church, and loved nothing better than an opportunity to learn, teach, or serve. Her desire for continuing education made her a voracious reader and participant in Simada, an active participant in Church classes, and a tour guide on Temple Square. Between 1999 - 2001, she and Josef returned to Germany to serve as missionaries in the Freiberg Temple. When they returned she continued to serve in the Jordan River Temple until her health made it difficult to do so.

Though Melva loved participating in her community (and loved all things BYU), she loved her family more. She could always be counted on to plan family parties, send birthday cards, and assist at a moment's notice. Her great-grandchildren were her delight and her grandchildren a continual source of joy. The relationship was lovingly reciprocated by all, as she was somehow able to make each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren believe that they were her favorite. Her presence will be missed by even the smallest of her great-grandchildren. Melva is survived by her husband, Josef, her daughters, Joanne (Kim) Johanson, Erika (Scott) Howes, Angie (Robert) Biesinger, Pamela (Richard) Kirschman, Linda (Carlton) Bowen, 21 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren and her siblings, Roma Smith, Kay Smith, and Randall Smith.  She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, John D. Smith, LaJuana Watson and Dorothy Gaisford.

Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Monday, February 9, 2015 at the Midvale 1st Ward, 308 West 7500 South, Midvale, Utah. Viewings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday evening at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State Street, Midvale, Utah and 1 hour prior to the services, at the church. Interment, Midvale City Cemetery.