Earl Edward Taylor

Earl Edward Taylor, age 82, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, January 7, 2019, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center with his loving family by his side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 15th at St. Columba Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Columba Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to Noon with recitation of the Rosary at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, January 15th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.  Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Earl was born August 26, 1936, in Ottawa, to Earl E. and Louise F. (Pasini) Taylor.  He married Elizabeth A. (Bette) Broadus on October 28, 1961, at St. Columba Catholic Church.  He is survived by his wife, Bette; four sons: E. Edward (Jackie) Taylor, Charles B. (Laura) Taylor, James J. Taylor, and Steven J. Taylor; eight grandchildren: Megan (Adam) Siwicki, Amanda Taylor, Allison Taylor, Michael Taylor, Samuel Taylor, Jack Taylor, Margaret Taylor and Zachary (Elle) Taylor; one sister, Betty J. (Joseph) Deak; and a brother, John N. Taylor.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Margaret Gretencord and JoAnn Goluba.

Earl graduated from Marquette High School in 1955 where he was one of the original members of the Marquette High School Crusader Drum and Bugle Corps, and later was a color guard instructor.  He was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church where he served as an usher for many years.  He was also a Third degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  Earl sold Sunday newspapers for the Chicago Tribune and the Sun Times with his family in Ottawa for many years.  He also worked for J.C. Penney where he retired in 1998 after 38 years of employment.  Earl loved his family and will be deeply missed by many.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a cause to be determined in Earl’s memory.