JoAnn Taylor Wheeler

JoAnn Taylor Wheeler, age 63, passed away from this life and into the next, being received into the love of her heavenly Father, her Savior, her mom and grandparents on August 18, 2023. This all came unexpectedly, but what is expected is that she was happy, having fun doing what she loved and living her life full of care and compassion for those in her life. By her side, was her champion and husband Jon and all her children as they had to say an early goodbye.

JoAnn has an intimate relationship with her Savior. His need to have her with Him at this time comes as no surprise to those that know her. Throughout her many life challenges and joys, she came to know Jesus Christ and His will for her, deep within her soul. She was small in stature, but her spirit was that of a giant. Her capacity to love so many people all at the same time, receive inspiration through the Holy Ghost and then act exactly as she was guided was her great God given talent.

That gift, has been the guiding force behind so many in her family and her friends, turning toward personal happiness and joy. Her impact is real, sincere, energetic, full of love and eternal in nature.

JoAnn was born with love in her heart on January 16, 1960, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Darryl B & Dorotha Chidester Taylor. She was the oldest in a family of six. She was raised in Bountiful, Utah, until age 8 when she moved with her family to Wayland, Massachusetts. They later returned to Bountiful at age 10. In 1978, she graduated from Viewmont High School in Bountiful. Her relationship to her mom and dad, brothers and sister was special. They have always been supportive, forgiving and loving of each other, and JoAnn was their spiritual and organizational leader.

JoJo’s center focus was her husband. She married Jon Lee Wheeler, October 18, 2014. They were best friends and shared their lives together in all they did, talked about and cared for. Jon will miss her and the love they shared. Together they shared and loved for their seven children. The love in their home and for those children will last for eternity.

She gave birth to five children while married to Curtis Evans. They later divorced. Jon came to the marriage with his two children. Their seven children: Jessica, Tara, Rachel, Becky, Seth, Danica & Parker have provided JoAnn and Jon with 15 grandchildren and an abundance of joy. JoAnn is sealed to her children for time and eternity and received her temple ordinances on September 10, 1993.

JoAnn had amazing faith, the kind that moved the sad, the confused, the stubborn, the hurt, the heartbroken to a place of peace, calm, love and understanding. She had one speed, “all the way!” She had the pure love of Christ and she endured to the end of each day giving of herself to her family and friends. She served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many roles and callings in Young Women, Relief Society and Primary. With all that she did not need a calling to act and serve others, her greatest impacts on others was outside of the walls of the church and in the hearts of those she cared for. JoAnn could see who needed help, and when they needed it, and she would show up for them. She was so cute in her approach. That was her passion in life. She didn’t need a calling. She was a calling!

She carried many of us at times of need through the hardships of life. She has saved many of us with her broad shoulders. She stamped everything in her life with the words, “Love Is Good.”

JoAnn lived most of her adult life in Bountiful, Utah. She lived in New York City for a time and fell in love with that city, and it always had a place in her heart. She also lived in Neola, Utah, for a couple of years. She loved her family heritage in Wayne County, Utah, and the Henry Mountains, where she loved to spend time on the cattle range with her dad, brothers, and cousins. She worked in the nursing industry at Huntsman Cancer Institute which brought her great joy in the service to those in special need of care.

She grew up in the trucking industry working with her father at Taylor Transportation in her early years as well as with her little brothers at Western Petroleum. She was a hard worker and never quit until the job was done right.

We are going to miss her random calls that always started, “I was thinking about you, and felt I needed to call.” She has left a permanent mark on this earth, and has taught us all how to live our lives going forward. We all have the awesome responsibility to pickup where she left off and continue the good works for those we love and those in need, to put our own desires and wants aside and follow the promptings we feel in our hearts. As we do this, we can simply live by the motto, “Live like Jo!”

JoAnn is survived by:
Her husband, Jon Lee Wheeler of Bountiful, Utah.
Her father Darryl B Taylor of Roosevelt, Utah.
Her children: Jessica Evans Cruz of Bountiful, Utah; Tara Ann Evans of Salt Lake City, Utah; Rachel & Colton Wills of Roosevelt, Utah; Becky Evans Fenn of Roosevelt, Utah; Seth & Krystal Evans of Roosevelt, Utah; Danica & Jon Winegar of Bountiful, Utah; and Parker & Brooklyn Wheeler of Farmington, Utah.
Her Grandchildren: Hannah Cruz, Madeline Cruz, Grace Wills, Stetson Wills, Vince Wills, Kaizlee Wills, Ridge Fenn, Oakly Jo Fenn, Bliss Evans, Kreedyn Evans, Jameson Evans, Wesley Winegar, Wyatt Winegar, Owen Winegar, and Wheeler Boy.
Her sister Kristine Taylor of Neola, Utah; Her brothers, Troy & Sandy Taylor of Roosevelt, Utah; Scott & Heidi Taylor of Roosevelt, Utah; Perry & Natalie Taylor of Seattle, Washington; and Sam Taylor of Stephenville, Texas.
Her father-in-law, Lee Wesley Wheeler of Bountiful, Utah.
Her 26 Nieces & Nephews, and so many friends they can not be counted.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Dorotha Chidester Taylor, her mother-In-law, Roma Jean Wheeler Lee, and her grandparents, Charles & Mildred Brinkerhoff Taylor and Clyde & Hannah White Chidester.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sterling Heights Ward, located at 165 Monarch Drive, Bountiful, Utah, 84010. There will a visitation with the family the evening prior on Friday August 25, 2023, at the church from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and the morning before the funeral from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. She will be laid to rest at the Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West in Bountiful.

LOVE IS GOOD!

Funeral services will be streamed live on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCFV6xRdfQA9_3FM5-TXT_Bg/videos