David Orval Taylor

David Taylor Obituary David Orval Taylor of Warsaw, Indiana passed away at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, in the care of Parkview Kosciusko Hospital of Warsaw at the age of 76.
He was born to Lorene (Tuma) and Orval Taylor on January 18, 1949, in Lincoln, Nebraska. David moved to Indiana in his childhood where he graduated from Pierceton High School in 1967. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1974 where he served on an aircraft carrier, the US Ranger. He served his country with his brothers Daniel (Kay) and Steven (Virginia) Taylor on the same ship. David was the oldest of five sons. Larry (Colleen) Taylor and Kenneth (Debbie) Taylor are David's other surviving brothers. David is survived by his wife, Joanne Marie Kolbe-Taylor. They were married on November 18, 1995, and shared almost 30 years together. Also surviving is his son, Erick R. (Janette) Taylor; and his granddaughter, Abigail Taylor.
He worked in the fields of industrial machine repair, HVAC and restaurant equipment repair until 1997 when he founded Blue Lion Coffee. David possessed a brilliant ability to repair anything. Nary a restaurant in the county has not been touched by his engineer's mind and his generous heart and after a visit from him they could make luscious burgers, eggs, pancakes and their menu items with hardly a pause because David miraculously fixed the problem. Long before the coffee house culture took hold, David was roasting award-winning coffee and serving up desserts, soups and sandwiches that are still nostalgically remembered today by many folks. The Blue Lion was featured in Indianapolis Monthly. The Blue Lion and David's efforts to bring businesses to Pierceton set the stage for today's Pierceton as a destination locale.
He served as the chair of the County's Tourism Commission as well as serving on the board of the Lakeland Art Association, was active in Morning Optimists, and area Chambers of Commerce. David, the consummate patriot, was a lifelong Revolutionary War Reenactor. He travelled throughout the United States and the world. He was a gourmet cook and a gourmand. David 's retirement venture was the Blue Pearl Art and Antiques Gallery and was an expert art appraiser.
His greatest achievement, however, was in his tireless service to others. He mentored, fed, chauffeured, advised, praised, promoted, prayed with, educated, and gloried in the success of countless fellow humans. David lived each day to the very fullest. He read everything, created his own art when he had time, but most importantly he loved boundlessly.
David's life will be celebrated with a service at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana and officiated by Pastor Rob Neel of Pierceton Presbyterian Church where David attended. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 10:00 – 2:00 pm. A graveside service will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton, Indiana with military rites conducted by members of the Warsaw American Legion Post #49, V.F.W. #1126 and active duty members of the Navy Honor Guard. As well as members of the Revolutionary War Reenactment Honor Guard.
Memorial donations in David's memory may be directed to Lakeland Art Association, 119 S Buffalo Street, Warsaw, IN, 46580; Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202; or to the National Audubon Society, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014.