Joan Vivian (Mettscher) Cooley- Taylor, 91, left this earth to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven, at 7:07 AM on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, after 7 days in her home with family being a constant comfort.

Joan was born December 28, 1931 in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Henry George Mettscher and Pearl Cora (Clark) Mettscher. Joan Vivian (Mettscher) married USAF Sgt. Lawrence Edward Cooley on September 5, 1954 in Hutchinson, KS. In 1975, she married the love of her life Edwin L. Taylor, who was the manager over mail processing at the post office in Hutchinson.

After graduating Hutchinson High School in 1950, she attended St. Elizabeth's Mercy School of Nursing in Hutchinson, KS and then did 3 months each in Fort Scott, Kansas City, and Wichita, KS. During her nursing career, she was the evening nursing supervisor over the newborn nursery at Grant Hospital in Chicago, IL. She then worked for 15 years at Salem Memorial Hospital, in Salem, IL, as the night shift nurse supervisor, before becoming for the next 2 years, the assisting nurse to St. Louis eye surgeon, Dr. Matthew Newman. She was the co-owner of Larry's T.V. and Appliances in Sandoval, IL. After returning to Hutchinson in 1975, she then worked at the hospital and later became the charge nurse in Haven Nursing Home in Haven, KS. After retirement, she enjoyed gardening, fishing, and spending time with her friends.

Joan left a lasting impact on everyone she met, whether it was giving helpful advice or assistance in any way she could to help anyone who was in need, so she could minister the love of Christ to them and remind them that "God Loves You, Pray." Whether it was giving someone a ride on a hot, cold, or rainy day or paying for strangers' groceries or necessities, she gave loving help to those who needed it. One thing she loved to do was make an impact on each person's life that she met by giving them a package of Werther's hard candy with a hand written joke on it. She would tell them, "Everybody needs to laugh, God Bless You." She was always spreading God's love and His word. She would say "God is my co-pilot, read the Book, God Bless You." She enjoyed sharing life and Biblical lessons to her grandchildren, family, and acquaintances. She enjoyed welcoming people moving into Olney with a Welcome Care Package she would make up herself.

Joan assisted in starting 3 Lions Clubs and 1 Lioness Club. She was a Boy Scout den mother, the treasurer for Hutchinson NAPS, a member of the National Association of Postal Supervisors Auxiliary, a retired senior volunteer program assisting friendship meals, a volunteer spiritual consultant to persons needing guidance, a caregiver to senior citizens, a member of National Active & Retired Federal Employees, #0537, a member of the VFW, a member in Rebecca Ladies of Odd Fellows, and she belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, Silver Leaf Chapter #464 in Hutchinson, KS. Joan was also a member of the Assembly of God Church in Odin, IL.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Brenda Ellis of Centralia; her son, Bradley E. (Dawna) Cooley Sr. of Olney; 8 grandchildren, Michael (Celia) Cooley of Centralia, Carisa (Aaron) Polston of Lancaster, Brad (Kristie) Cooley Jr. of Olney, Nathan (Betsy) Cooley of Indiana, Summer (Max) Crunk of Centralia, Ashley (Jordan) Buchanan of Olney, Rachel Cooley Kramer of Olney, and Tommy Ellis of Centralia. She is also survived by her brother, Marvin Mettscher of Hutchinson, KS.

Joan had 25 great-grandchildren, Birdie Hasselbring, Boston Polston, Eva Cooley, Brinkley Polston, Jackson Kramer, Payden Buchanan, Kaydn Cooley, Riley Ellis, Owen Buchanan, Trey Ellis, Sydnie Flesner, Griffin Cooley, Simon Buchanan, Declan Kramer, Jarakia Crunk, Morgan Crunk, Cole Crunk, Noelle Cooley, Hannah Ellis, Brooks Cooley, Copelynn Kramer, Kinsley Ellis, George Cooley, Eddie Cooley, Josie Cooley, and 1 great-great-grandson, Harrison Hasselbring.

She was preceded in death by both parents, two husbands, one son Bryan Cooley, and brother Ivan Mettscher from Great Bend, KS.

Please join us for visitation services at 11:00 AM at Thrasher Family Funeral Home on Saturday January 28, 2023. A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at 12:00 PM at Thrasher Family Funeral Home. Minister Julia Miller will be officiating.

An Order of the Eastern Star graveside burial service will be held at her final resting place, next to her husband, Ed, at Fairlawn Burial Park in Hutchinson, Kansas at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for Joan can be made to Carle Hospice Care of Richland County.

Family and friends can sign Joan's online guestbook at www.thrasherfamilyfh.com