Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our gates we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.
Family owned and operated since 1909, with several facilities throughout Delta County, Taylor Funeral Service provides peace of mind for western Colorado communities through pre-planning, grief support, and professional funeral services. Taylor’s years of experience, trusted name, and caring touch have provided solace for hundreds of families, with loved ones nearby or across the globe, during their time of grief.
Our Family Serving Yours -
Western Colorado natives Chalmer and Marge Swain have owned and operated Taylor Funeral Service since 1984. Chalmer’s interest and experience in mortuary science started at a young age, with a part-time job in high school. He attended Mesa State College and graduated from Cypress Mortuary College. Chalmer served as Delta County Coroner and as a Colorado Funeral Directors Association board member, and he is a certified funeral service and mortuary science practitioner.
Marge Swain received her B.S. in Secondary Education from Northern Michigan University majoring in Sociology & Political Science. She is a certified funeral director and licensed in Colorado for pre-need insurance purposes. Chalmer and Marge have two children – Matthew and Amber.
Serving on the boards of local chambers of commerce, Delta County Memorial Hospital, HopeWest, and Rotary Club, the Swains are active contributors to their hometown community.
Chalmer and Marge are supported by a dedicated team of trustworthy individuals—highly-trained, certified professionals with decades of experience in mortuary science and funeral service. Embracing a spirit of service, Taylor’s staff actively volunteers for charities, churches, and other service organizations in Delta County. Learn more about the people behind Taylor Funeral Service.
“Everyone we had contact with at Taylor’s was kind and compassionate.”
“We were treated with such kindness and compassion. The warmth and caring made a difficult time so much easier.”
“Taylor Funeral Service went out of their way to help us at a difficult time.”
“Everyone at Taylor helped a great deal in supporting us.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Chalmer Swain has served Taylor’s clients since 1984. He attended Mesa State College and graduated from Cypress Mortuary College in Los Angeles. He is a member of the Delta Rotary Club, past president of the Delta and Surface Creek Area Chambers of Commerce, past board member of Delta County Memorial Hospital, past Delta County Coroner and past board member of the Colorado Funeral Directors. He and his wife Marge have two children – Matthew and Amber.

Marge Swain received her BS in Secondary Education from Northern Michigan University with a double in major in sociology and political science. She has worked in the funeral home industry since 1986. She is licensed in Colorado for pre-need insurance purposes and owns Taylor Funeral Home with her husband, Chalmer.

Lance Boren graduated from Midwestern State University with a BA in 1991 and from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services in 1999. He became a Licensed Funeral Director in Texas in 2001. He began working for Taylor Funeral Service in 2009. He is a member of the Rotary Club and attends Delta United Methodist Church. he has a son, Barak, and a daughter, Kennedy.

Ashton Solvedt grew up in southern Georgia. A few years after graduating from high school in 2006, she moved to Colorado. Ashton grew up in a military family which allowed her to visit many different places. She began working for Taylor Funeral Service in 2010. She currently in Delta, Colorado with husband Oliver and their three dogs.

R. Christopher Weldon
Funeral Director

Retired Minister James Gall has served as officiating minister for over 700 funerals on Colorado's Western Slope. He is an Assistant Director and Grief Counselor for Taylor Funeral Service. Originally from Dodge City Kansas, James and his wife Marleen—a retired teacher—have called Delta County their home since 1979. They have one son, Vince, who resides in Evergreen.

Tom Jenkins

Ron Rowell
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