Joni Taylor

Bicknell, Utah - Joni Taylor, age 59. passed away Sunday morning, at her home in Bicknell, after a valiant battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. She fought for two years surpassing many prognoses. Her positive attitude and optimistic outlook were contagious throughout her treatment. Joni never complained and always reminded those around her how blessed she was, even through her trials. She was known to say she “lived a charmed life.” 

Joni was born July 1, 1965, to Max Grant and Nancy Lynn Hulburt Mecham in Vernal Utah. Being the child of an oil field worker, they relocated many times in her childhood. They moved to Richfield in kindergarten, then to Albuquerque, NM in first grade, Traverse City, MI in 4th grade, Yukon OK in 7th grade, and back to Vernal as a sophomore in high school. In high school, Joni was involved with many activities and had a large group of friends she stayed close with throughout her life. She was a U-ette drill team member, part of student government, and was girls league president.

She met her husband Riley while attending Utah Technical College in Orem. They met while country swing dancing and always enjoyed that. They married in the Manti Temple on September 10, 1988. 

Joni graduated from Utah State University with a degree in finance. She used her financial skills throughout her life to keep Riley’s cabinet business and cattle ranch in the black and served others with these skills. 

Joni was happiest when she was around her family. She loved her kids but especially loved her grandchildren. They were the highlight of her life and made her light up whenever she was around them. Riley always says that Joni was at the height of her glory when she was loading her family in the car, a plane, a boat, or even an RV to go on a vacation. She loved to travel and see new things and have new experiences. She often referred to her ‘vacation angel’ when they were blessed with extraordinary experiences or felt that they were protected from danger while traveling. 

One of her greatest attributes was her creative ability. She could make beautiful crafts, creations, decorations, and designs out of almost nothing. She had a great eye for the beauty the world had to offer and what she could create with it. People around her relied on her to make wedding decorations, boutique crafts, prom decorations, photography, and much more. She always had a dream of opening a craft/souvenir shop and was actively pursuing her goal. 

Joni was an active member of the Wayne County community. She served as a school board member for 8 years, was active in the school system as a substitute teacher, helped with countless extracurricular activities, and was a part of the Capitol Reef Natural History Association’s Board for a time. Joni was a friend to all. She could talk to anyone and had a natural ability to connect with many people from all different walks of life. She loved being social. She had friends wherever she went and wherever she lived. She loved her job at the bank because of the people she worked with and because she got to befriend many people in the community.

A significant part of Joni’s life was her faith. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings through her years. She served as relief society president, was involved in young women's, primary, and was a cub scout leader for many years. Her faith in Jesus Christ was evident through the way she lived. She served others with no expectations, she connected with others, and she was always concerned for those around her. Her presence was a bright light that will be greatly missed by her family, her friends, and her community. The world is a better place because Joni was a part of it.

Joni is survived by her husband Riley Taylor of Bicknell; children Trent (Vanessa) Taylor of Farmington Utah, Rhett (Madison) Taylor of Spanish Fork Utah, Kiera (Nathan) Millerberg of Rifle CO, and Britton Taylor of Bicknell UT; grandchildren Major, Jovie, Fayette, and Kace Millerberg, Adeline and Carter Taylor, and Ranger Taylor; parents Grant and Nancy Mecham of Vernal Utah; and brothers: Monte (Debbie) Mecham of Spanish Fork Utah, and Jace (Sara) Mecham of Lubbock, TX.

She is preceded in death by her sister Amy Vernon. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel in Bicknell, where friends may call for viewing Friday morning from 10:00 to 12:30 prior to the services.

Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Joni’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.