RICHARD “DICK” TAYLOR

    Richard “Dick” Allen Taylor was born May 30, 1937 to Floyd Allen Taylor and Leona Marie (Hutchison) Taylor in Diagonal, Iowa. Dick graduated from Diagonal high school in 1955. He later attended Creston Community College and Iowa State University.  On January 24, 1959 Dick was united in marriage to Janis Lea Linkey at the Methodist Church in Diagonal. Dick grew up on the family farm where he and Janis raised their four boys. He spent many hours tending to his crops and livestock. It did not matter if he had planting or combining, he never missed a basketball or baseball game the boys were involved in. He enjoyed following his nine grandchildren’s school and sporting events and meeting the guys for morning coffee. Dick was a member of the United Church of Diagonal and Creston Elks Lodge #605. He served on the Diagonal school board and REC board.
    Dick is survived by his wife, Janis Taylor of Diagonal, Iowa; four sons, Mike (wife Jean Ann) Taylor of Creston, Iowa, Bill (wife Joni) Taylor of Creston, Iowa, Scott (wife Niky) Taylor of Waukee, Iowa and Todd (wife Jennifer) Taylor of Parkville, Missouri; two sisters, Mary McCalley of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Judy (husband Claire) Newton of Diagonal, Iowa; mother in-law, Anna Linkey of Mount Ayr, Iowa; one brother-in-law, Jim (wife Dixie) Linkey of Kansas City, Missouri; aunts, Lois (husband Stan) Schleuter of Noblesville, Indiana and Lorabel Taylor of Clearfield, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Ryan (wife Janelle) Taylor, Blair (wife Martina) Taylor, Colby Taylor, Jenna Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Katie Taylor, Kyle Taylor, Brittlyn Taylor and Duke Taylor; three great-grandchildren, Kayson Taylor, Cora Taylor and Tate Taylor.  
    He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Leona Taylor; father in-law, Leo Linkey, and brother in-law, Dave McCalley.
    Services were held in the Diagonal High School Gymnasium in Diagonal on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, with Pastor Ed Shields and Pastor Eydie Stephens officiating. Musicians included Ginny Eighmy and Kathy Rinehart.
    Casket bearers were Ryan Taylor, Blair Taylor, Colby Taylor, Jenna Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Katie Taylor, Kyle Taylor, Brittlyn Taylor and Duke Taylor.
    Honorary pallbearers included Charlie Fletcher, Kenny Sobotka, Jim Goins, Delbert Routh, Billy Bentley and J.P. Whittington.
    Dick was laid at rest in the Diagonal Cemetery in Diagonal.
    Memorials are to the United Church of Diagonal and Diagonal Community School Foundation.
    Online condolences can be made under the obituary category at www.watsonarmstrongfh.com.