Obituaries

Tonya Sue Rickard Taylor, 65, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2026, in the early morning hours peacefully at home.

Tonya was born on June 1, 1960, in Satanta, Kansas, to Bruce and Billie Rickard, joining older sister Ricki and older brother Bud, and was joined shortly thereafter by a little brother named Dirk. She regularly shared stories of stacks and stacks of books surrounding her always, and a true excitement over the public library. Her reading averaged at least five books every two weeks, a hobby she used as a source of relaxation and her nightly way to wind down from a busy day.

Tonya had finished her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in Dodge City, Kansas, and like her mother before her, felt the call to the Windy City for a change of pace from the windy plains of south central Kansas. She made the journey to Chicago when answering a job posting put out by a single mother in Winnetka, IL, needing care for her five children. Having dealt with being called Dorothy jokingly for many years, she still held a deep love for the stories of The Wizard of Oz and the adventurous spirit of Laura Engel Wilder, and never once wore red ruby slippers despite the insinuation.

Tonya had carried her faith in Jesus with her from Sunday School as a child. Her twenties were a time when priorities were put into order after spending time on the north shore of Chicago, finding community in Winnetka Bible Church and a deeper understanding of the calling upon her life. In this time she also met a man from Tennessee. Little did she know what his youthful energy, humorous approach to life, and deep need for a true friend would lead to. Eddy Wayne Taylor and Tonya Sue Rickard were married in Medicine Lodge, Kansas on December 20, 1986.

In the years to follow, Tonya and Ed made a life in the suburbs of Chicago, landing in Addison, where they were blessed beyond measure with a baby boy, Caleb Wayne Taylor (who wrote this), on December 5, 1989. Shortly thereafter they made the decision to attempt a life in rural Kansas, but after a short time returned to Addison, and to the apartment complex that shared a fence with their friends Charlie and Linda Wellington, who had themselves welcomed a young son into their home. Ed and Charlie were fast friends. Linda and Tonya were confidants and support systems for each other in their early motherhood years.

A move west to Bartlett, IL in the mid-nineties led Tonya to Awana Clubs International and mission-focused ministry. She regularly referenced her time at Awana as the best season of her professional life, a season of deepened faith and lasting friendships that remain to this day.

Tonya returned to Early Childhood Education in the late 2010s after a career transition. She spent a year trying different places, and was introduced to Bethlehem Preschool Center, just over two miles down the street from her home. She regularly joked about the short commute and all those years driving past a place she came to love dearly. A place filled with fellow teachers who became partners in ministry to another set of hundreds of little lives, and friends whom she treasured and respected immensely.

Though her passing was sudden and unexpected given her improving health, Tonya had overcome many health hurdles in the last year and was still faithful to supporting her family and loving those in her stead well. We as a family feel a chasm of loss left by the presence of who Tonya was. The heart she possessed was fierce in love and steadfast in genuine care. Her legacy lives on.

Tonya is survived by her husband, Ed Taylor; her son, Caleb Taylor; her stepdaughter, Rachel Fletcher; her step-granddaughter, Jasmyn Fletcher; and her siblings, Ricki Rickard and Bruce “Bud” Rickard.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce and Billie Rickard; her brother, Dirk Rickard; and her sister-in-law, Carol Stauss.

Memorial Service Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Village Church of Bartlett 601 West Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL 60103 Doors open at 9:30 a.m. | Service begins at 10:00 a.m.

Tonya’s personal artwork collection and a wealth of printed family photos will be on display to remember the vibrant and warm person she was.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Tuition Fund at Bethlehem Preschool Center, located at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N. Fifth Avenue (Rt. 25), St. Charles, IL 60174; to Village Church of Bartlett, 601 West Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL 60103; or to your favorite childhood education charity that helps young people find a love of reading.

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