Mechelle Essick

Mechelle Essick of Kuna, Idaho passed away on Wednesday July 8th, 2026 surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 59. She was born on June 11th, 1967 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the oldest daughter of Beverly Phillips and Ted Johnson. Mechelle grew up surrounded by family and was able to spend lots of time with cousins and siblings. She had an older brother Jason, two younger brothers, Jared and Chris, and a younger sister Jody. Mechelle went on to marry Paul Rieger and together they had two children, Kristen and Brandon. They later divorced and Mechelle met the love of her life Buddy Essick. They married in 2019.

Mechelle worked at Simplot just shy of 25 years, in many different roles. Through work she gained a variety of friends. She loved her time at Simplot and spoke highly of her co-workers and bosses.

Mechelle loved going to concerts. It did not matter the genre; she was always willing to go see live music. Everyone loved going to shows with Mechelle. She wouldn’t let anyone pay for a thing, usually splurging on drinks and merch for whoever attended the show with her. She was also well-known for buying drinks for all those seated around her. She truly had a knack for making friends wherever she went.

Mechelle loved being a grandma. She had three granddaughters, Raelynn, McKenna and Sage from her two children, and had three grandsons Tygun, Gotham and Rory from her husband Buddy’s side of the family. Mechelle loved spoiling her grandkids. She would often pick them up and take them somewhere fun where they would inevitably come home with a new trinket that Grandma bought them. Often times she would randomly stop by with something for her grandkids that she saw in the store and just had to get them.

Mechelle was an incredibly giving person. She would not hesitate to help anyone who needed it. She will be missed by many people.

Mechelle was preceded in death by her Aunt Sharon Frazier, Aunt Sue Birkinbine, Grandma Elaine Phillips and Grandpa Keith Philips.

She is survived by her Spouse Buddy Essick, Daughter Kristen Jones, Son Brandon Rieger, Stepson Andrew Merchen, Son-in-law Joshua Jones, Daughter-in-law Kayli Rieger, Granddaughters Raelynn Jones, Mckenna Rieger, and Sage Rieger, Grandsons Tygun Essick, Gotham Essick, and Rory Essick, Mother Beverly Phillips, Father Theo “Ted” Johnson, Stepfather Mark Jones, Siblings Jason Johnson, Jared Jones, Jody Jones, Christopher Jones, Jennifer Johnson Finch and Justin Johnson.