Clarence Riley Taylor Obituary (1926

Clarence Riley Taylor of Bloomington, IL and formerly of Mt. Vernon, IL, age 92, died peacefully and with grace at Martin Health Center, Bloomington, IL, Sunday, January 27, 2019. Born to Riley and Zella Tate Taylor in Mt. Vernon in October 1926 and named for both his grandfathers, Clarence and his younger sister Mary Ann (Earl) Feldmann and newborn brother Robert (Ann) Taylor lost their mother during Robert's birth. Clarence's father remarried Lilian Irene Dykes and gave Clarence 4 more siblings to be big brother to, James (Marje) Taylor, Elizabeth (Orville) Brill, David (Delores) Taylor and Roy (Edeana) Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Ann, and two of his brothers, Robert and David. Clarence married Jane Salmon Gilmore in May 1967 and began life as a step-father and step-grandfather in an extended family of Jane's daughter, 2 stepchildren and 7 grandchildren. He valued this time and thoroughly enjoyed being a grandfather in the lives of the little ones. Jane died in 1988. Clarence married Thelma McDonald Peterson in January 1989. He became a step-father for three of Thelma's adult children, who at the time had 4 children of their own. Over the years, 2 more grandchildren were added. Thelma died in 2014, but Clarence remained a very important part of this family. He has been a part of all of our lives and had the joy of having 6 great-grandchildren to help nurture and love. The youngest, Calvin and Atlas, lived close by and had "great-grandpa" with them for all important celebrations in their young lives. Like many of his peers, Clarence joined the US Army directly out of high school, spending the last years of WWII in the Pacific Region. Upon returning to the United States, Clarence spent the next decade working and completing his college degree, first at Lincoln Christian College and completing his degree at Greenville College. In later years, Clarence also received his master's degree from the University of Illinois-UC. Clarence was a teacher, coach and principal in local schools throughout his career, starting in Mt. Vernon and retiring from the Saybrook-Arrowsmith School System. He loved to garden and was a big sports fan. More importantly, he was a man of God in faith and action. He has ministered to thousands throughout the world with his work and words and continued to the last days in this life. Our lives were all blessed with his presence and quiet faith. His funeral service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, January 31, 2019 at College Park Christian Church, Normal with Rev. Brent Salm officiating with military rites accorded at the church by Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. His graveside service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Hills Baptist Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, IL. Rev. J. Howard Kraps will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be made to College Park Christian Church Mission Fund, Normal or to Westminster Village Foundation, Bloomington. Special thanks would like to be given to the staff at Westminster Village and in particular those at Martin Health Center. Their depth of care and respect for Clarence during his final days allowed him to leave our world peacefully. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com