Raymond L. Taylor, 75, of Niles
Published 8:56 am Friday, April 25, 2014
Raymond L. Taylor, 75, of Niles, died at 6:16 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles unexpectedly, but of natural causes.
He was born on Jan. 15, 1939 in Brookfield, Missouri to Daniel W. and Dorothy L. (Brown) Taylor.
Raymond Taylor
He was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here most of his life. He served in the United States Army Military Police during peacetime. He was a welder, and was first employed at the former Penn Central Railroad. He was later employed at Clark Equipment, Bosch Brakes, and National-Standard.
Ray had served with the former Niles Township Police Department Reserve. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Buchanan Lodge #449. He enjoyed hunting and fishing locally, and camping throughout Michigan and Indiana. His greatest joy was his family, and he was very proud of each of their successes.
On Oct. 29, 1960, in Niles he married the former Jerilyn Ann Wages with whom he celebrated the 52nd anniversary of their wedding prior to her death last year on April 23, 2013. They were also preceded in death by a son, Ray “Little Ray” Taylor in 1979, and by Ray’s father, Daniel Taylor and mother, Dorothy L. Pierce and step-father Delbert D. Pierce; and by Ray’s sister, Betty VanTuyl who died on October 26, 2013.
Surviving family includes his children, Rod (Sue) Taylor and Renee (Bob Hutton) Taylor, both of Niles; grandchildren, Todd (Breely) Taylor, Tony (Keeley) Taylor, Chaz Ritchie, Shelby (Jay) Hutton, and Robert Hutton; great-grandchildren, Adison, Haden, Isabella, and Natalie; and Ray’s twin brother, Robert (Jean) Taylor and sister, JoAnn Cummins, both of Niles, and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Raymond Taylor will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Ray’s neighbor, Jeff Garr of Life Action Ministries officiating. The service will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation by the United States Army Honor Guard.
The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Ray Taylor may be made to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.
www.halbritterfunerals.com
