Robert Taylor

WEST FRANKFORT -- Robert Milton Taylor passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at his home in West Frankfort at the age of 96.

Milton, the son of Terry and Matilda (Willmore) Taylor, was born Jan. 7, 1915, in West Frankfort, where he was a lifelong resident.

He married Maxine Brown on July 16, 1938, and they lived happily together on the family farm for almost 73 years with the exception of the war years. Milton served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II.

His working career was spent as an electrician throughout Southern Illinois, sometimes commuting great distances. His latter working years were spent as an electrician at SIU Physical Plant. And nights and weekends, his job was farming. Needless to say, he was a hard worker, which he came by naturally from his legacy of pioneer families in Indiana and Illinois.

Milton was a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and American Legion. He was member of First Baptist Church and attended until recent years when age began to take its toll.

He is survived by his loving wife, Maxine; daughter, Terra Jones, and son-in-law, Tom Jones, of Atlanta; sons, Brent Taylor and Ernie Taylor of West Frankfort; granddaughters, Lauren Taylor and Emily Taylor, also of West Frankfort, granddaughter, Amy Taylor Hustedde, her husband, Jeremy, and great-grandson Taylor Hustedde of Collinsville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four siblings, Carl Miles Taylor of West Frankfort, Elma Taylor Leman of Christopher, Faye Taylor Thurman of Lawrence, Kan., and William Conley Taylor of Prairie du Chein, Wis.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, in Varis-Stone Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Cash officiating. Interment will be at Oddfellows Cemetery. Friends of Robert Taylor may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Orient American Legion Post 1961, Zeigler American Legion, VFW Post 5764 of West Frankfort and the Navy Department.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Oddfellows Cemetery and will be accepted at Varis-Stone Funeral Home at any time.