Ila Joan Mills departed her loving family on April 23, 2022 at the family home in Spanish Fork, UT.  She was 77.  She will be forever loved and remembered.

Joan was born in Richfield, UT on August 1, 1944 to noble parents, Ila and Joseph Toronto, who taught her the precious truths of life.  Joan was preceded in death by her parents, sister Joy, precious son Joseph, and granddaughter Sarah.  She is survived by her siblings Chris (Judy), Maria (Michael Moody), Elisabeth (Roydon Olsen), and John (Carolyn).

Joan graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1962 and BYU in 1966.  Her degree was in Child Development and Family Relations with an Elementary Education Certificate.  She was employed with the Alpine School District where she taught kindergarten for 7 years.  She had many choice experiences with her young students.

She married Gordon Everard Mills on April 5, 1973 in the Provo Temple.  They had six wonderful children together: Gordon Jr. (Jennifer), Samuel (Julie), Joseph, Ila Anne (Kyle Johnson), John (Jessica), and Nathaniel (Cami).

She was the enabling force behind their mission statement – There will be no empty chairs in the Kingdom of our Father as we come unto Christ and are perfected in Him through obeying His laws, honoring our covenants with Him, and receiving the blessing of exaltation and eternal lives.

She raised her children in a household of faith with love and devotion.  They were her life and her greatest accomplishment.  If they participated in an event, she was there to support them. She leaves behind 23 grandchildren who loved and adored her with one granddaughter who is with her now in her heavenly home.

Joan was always looking for ways to cheer up the down-hearted and to thoughtfully bless others. She was that light unto the world that burned brightly and reflected her love and devotion to God. She expanded that love to over 300 missionaries as she and her husband presided over the Florida Tallahassee Mission from 1990-1993.  Yet, a Mother first, she nurtured her five children who ranged in age of seven to 16 during this three-year-period of time of a cultural change.

She also served in the cub scouting program for over 12 years as several young men began their scouting careers. Figuratively speaking, these were “her boys” and she rejoiced in seeing them grow in faith and fill their priesthood duties. Many young women and primary children whom this master teacher taught will greatly miss her selfless example and kindness.

Mortality’s lessons have been completed and this elect daughter of God has proven faithful.  Immortality’s blessings await her.

Funeral services will be held at Spanish Fork South Stake Center, 870 East Canyon Road, at 1:30 p.m. May 7, 2022. A viewing May 6, 2022 will be held at the Walker Mortuary, Spanish Fork, Utah 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Interment at Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

TO ACCESS SERVICE VIA ZOOM, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK A FEW MINUTES PRIOR TO SERVICE AT 1:30 P.M ON SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022.

https://zoom.us/j/91634548303