Michael A. "Mike" Taylor

1959 - 2025

Michael A. "Mike" Taylor, 65, of Chicora, Donegal Township, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a five-year courageous battle with cancer.
Mike fought many battles and won, but he didn't have the strength to win the war. Although, he was able to fulfill his final wish, to watch his last Super Bowl.
Mike was born on April 25, 1959, at Langley Air Force Hospital in Hampton, Va. He was the son of the late Clarence A. Taylor and the late Phyllis A. Sweesy Biertempfel.
Mike was a 1977 graduate of Slippery Rock Area High School. Mike grew up on a farm, where he learned to drive farm equipment at a young age. He loved driving the different tractors and farm equipment. When Mike was 18, he got his first driving job, driving a tri-axle coal bucket for David J. Kellogg, hauling coal from local tipples. He then drove tractor-trailer dump truck for Dick Hogg and Sons. In 1980, Mike started a career with ServiStar in East Butler.
In 1981, he moved his family to Charleston, Ill., to continue to work for ServiStar at its new hardware distribution facility. Mike earned a five-year safe driving award trip to Hawaii. In 1989, Mike and his family moved back to the Butler area and he continued driving for ServiStar until the company merged with True Value in 1997. Mike drove for local trucking companies until 2000, when he was hired by ABF Freight, and drove until 2019, when he was diagnosed with his illness.
Mike loved watching NASCAR and cheering for his favorite drivers, Dale Earnhardt and later, Dale Jr. He also loved riding and mowing with his Kubota tractor and watching old Westerns - especially his favorites, Gunsmoke and John Wayne movies. Mike looked forward to family vacations to the beach and different lakes.
Mike is survived by his wife, Beverly Johnston Taylor, whom he married on Aug. 19, 1978, at Ridgeville United Methodist Church in Hilliards. Mike and Beverly had two sons, Michael J. Taylor and his wife, Stephanie Graham Taylor, of Chicora, and Benjamin C. Taylor (Melissa Wolf) of Chicora. Pappy Mike was the happiest when he was with his six precious grandchildren, Jake, Brooklynn, Aubrey, Reed, Hayden and Emery Taylor, all of Chicora; and two special girls, Brooklyn and Adelyn Wolf of Saxonburg. He was his grandchildren's biggest fan, rarely missing a sporting event. He was very proud of each of their achievements.
Mike is also survived by a brother, Roger E. Taylor of Butler; two nephews, Rod Johnston and John Pry Jr.; two nieces, Tina Bailey and Nicole Cramer, with whom he was very close; three great-nephews; three-great nieces; two aunts; a brother-in-law; a sister-in-law; several cousins; and his best fur baby, Jack.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Eceil and Myrtle Johnston; his stepfather, Richard Biertempfel; a sister-in-law, Jackie Pry; and a brother- in-law, Rick Johnston.
The family would like to thank Dr. Choksi and the entire staff at the UPMC Cancer Center in Butler, and Dr. DiCuccio. We can't thank each and every one of you enough for all your support, compassion and care that you gave to Mike over the past five years. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.
TAYLOR - Friends of Michael A. "Mike" Taylor, who died Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, will be received from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Beverly Roscoe, pastor of Chicora United Methodist Church, officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to UPMC Cancer Pavillion, Suite 1B, 5150 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.