Our family is sad­dened to announce the passing of Israel Mack Esplin, who returned home peacefully on Fri­day, March 27, 2026, in his lifelong home of Orderville, Utah. At 91 years young, Mack was a man of the earth, a dedicated craftsman and a pillar of strength to all who knew him.

Mack lived a life of hard work and devo­tion. Orderville was always his home, hav­ing been born there on July 30, 1934, to Lawrence Sr. and Lucy Heaton Esplin, the sixth of seven children. He spent 41 years with Kaibab Forest Products as a logger and was known there for his skills on a D-6 Caterpillar. He was out clearing land just two weeks before his passing. He loved his life spent on the range most of all, and was a lifelong cattleman. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had served a mission in Nauvoo with his wife Peggy where he worked as a teamster with the horse teams.

Mack married his High School sweet­heart, Betty Marie Brinkerhoff, in 1952 in the St. George Temple. After she passed 30 years ago, he met and married a wonderful companion, Peggy Han­cock, who still survives him. He is also survived by his sister VeRene Tait; children Rebecca (Joseph) Buescher, Sharon (Barry) Gla­zier, Mack B. (Robyn) Esplin, Merlin (Chris­tine) Esplin and Wade (Rebecca) Esplin; nine grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Mack was a man of few words, but when he spoke, we listened. His finial advice to us all: “Look before you jump.”

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Mack and Betty Esplin Scholarship Fund at the Kane County School District office.