Dorothy Taylor

Dorothy Ellen Buck Taylor, age 96 of Beardstown, died Sunday, August 5, 2018 at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born March 23, 1922 in rural Beardstown, the daughter of Lark and Iva Gibbons Buck. She married her high school sweetheart James L. Taylor on September 19, 1945 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown, and he preceded her in death on September 27, 2014.

She is survived by her children Mike (wife Mary) Taylor of Columbia, MO, Don (wife Lisa) Taylor of Virginia, Debbie (husband Bill) Middleton of Murrayville, and Mary (husband Jay) Houvenagle of Washington; eleven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law Muriel Buck of Savanna.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two brothers Floyd and Harold Buck.

Mrs. Taylor graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1940. She was a baptized and confirmed member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown. She was also a member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Ladies Aid, Rainbow Garden Club, and her quilting club. She had worked at Schultz Baujan Mills after high school, and then served as a Sargent in the Women’s Army Corps assigned to the U.S. Air Force during World War II stationed at Bolling Field in Washington. DC. Later, she worked for FS in Virginia, Beardstown Savings and Loan, at Millie’s Gift Shop for 15 years, and volunteered as an Ombudsman for nursing homes. Dorothy raised chickens and was a master flower gardener who grew bouquets to give away to her friends. She enjoyed collecting recipes and traveling, especially the bus trips with her girlfriends, the bank bus trips, the time she went to Europe with Barbara Kuhlman, and going out east during the fall season. Dorothy was a 46 year breast cancer survivor. She was a doting and loving grandmother and will be greatly missed by all those who loved her.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown. Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Beardstown. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials have been suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Cass County Food Pantry.

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.