Joel Leitner

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joel Vincent Leitner, who left us on January 23, 2026, at the age of 72. Born on December 30, 1953, in American Fork, Utah, Joel was a pillar of warmth and laughter in the lives of those who knew him.Joel held a deep love for his mother throughout his life.

 He was known for his thoughtful nature and always took the time to lend a helping hand, making sure those around him felt valued and cared for. With a smile that could light up any room, Joel had a gift for telling jokes and sharing laughter, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met.

Professionally, Joel found fulfillment in his work, starting his career at Utah Valley Hospital before spending over 20 years at Harmons, where his friendly demeanor and hard work earned him the respect of colleagues and customers alike. Outside of work, Joel's true passion was cooking especially BBQ. He loved to host gatherings, where the aroma of his delicious food combined with his infectious laughter created memories that will be cherished by all who had the pleasure of joining him. He would spend hours of his free time volunteering at the local food pantry, preparing meals for families in need. 

Joel's kindness, humor, and genuine spirit will be profoundly missed, but we celebrate the life he lived and the love he shared.In honor of Joel's remarkable life, a graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 28th at 1:00pm at American Fork Cemetery, 600 North Center Street. On February 20 at 6:00 PM LDS Church, 925 East North Temple Drive, Provo, Utah a gathering of friends and family to share stories, laughter in celebration of Joel's life. We invite all who knew Joel to join us in remembrance and to celebrate the joy he brought into our lives. Joel's kindness and friendship will be missed. He considered his roommates Ryan Bishop and Brian Hundan as family.

We find comfort in knowing that Joel's spirit will live on in our hearts and the cherished memories we carry with us. Rest in peace, dear friend.