TAYLOR, Harold J. 1914-2003

TAYLOR, JOHNSTON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/7/2009 at 10:56:09

#1 of 2 items:

MASON CITY, IOWA - Harold J. Taylor, 88, of 302 2nd St. NE, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, at Good Shepherd Health Center.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia, with Rev. Douglas Anderson officiating. Following cremation, inurnment will take place in the Marble Rock Cemetery, Marble Rock, Floyd county, Iowa.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.today, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with a Masonic Service, 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the Harold J. Taylor Memorial Fund.

Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of arrangements.

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#2:

MASON CITY - Harold J. Taylor, 88, of 302 Second St. N.E., died Friday (Jan. 17, 2003) at Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia, Mason City, with the Rev. Douglas Anderson officiating. Following cremation, inurnment will take place in the Marble Rock Cemetery.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, with a Masonic service beginning at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Harold J. Taylor Memorial Fund.

Harold was born on a farm near Guernsey, Iowa , on Jan. 29, 1914, the son of Emmett and Mary Ann (Johnston) Taylor. Harold attended Guernsey Community Schools and graduated in 1931. Mr. Taylor farmed with his family until 1934, when his younger brother took over the management of the farm.

In 1934 he enrolled in the Cedar Rapids Business College graduating in 1935. After graduating, he was employed by Wilson and Co. Inc., first as an office assistant, and then as office manager in Reinbeck. He later transferred to Oelwein and Faribault, Minn. In 1942 he resigned to go home and operate the family farm while his brother served in the military.

In 1945, Harold was rehired by Wilson & Co. and became the assistant plant manager at the turkey processing plant. In 1947, Harold became the manager of rural and city properties owned by Ralph P. Waller. During that time he oversaw the installation of more than 35 miles of clay tile on one 320-acre farm. In 1952, Mr. Taylor bought a farm west and south of Marble Rock where he farmed until his retirement in 1988, after which he moved to Mason City.

During his life Mr. Taylor was active in many agricultural organizations. He was the first chairman of the Floyd County Extension Council. He served on the Floyd County Soil and Water Conservation Board as commissioner for eight years, seven years on the Floyd County ASCS Board, 29 years on the Butler County REC Board, and 18 years on the Corn Belt Power Corporation Board.

Mr. Taylor was an active member of the United Methodist Church for more than 75 years. During this time he served on numerous committees including chairman of the Administrative Board and Financial Secretary of the Marble Rock Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Marble Rock and later Mason City. In addition, he was a member High Twelve, White Shrine as well as a 40-year member of the Lion's Club.

Mr. Taylor married Dorothy Polly of Reinbeck in 1940. To this marriage two children were born: John (Jack) of Marble Rock and Mary Taylor Scott of Mingo. His wife, Dorothy, died in 1968. In 1969 he married Ethel Gratias Moser of Marble Rock. They made their home southwest of Marble Rock until 1988 when they moved to Mason City

He is survived by his wife, Ethel, of Mason City; his son, Jack Taylor and wife, Marcia, of Marble Rock, his daughter, Mary Scott and her husband, Craig, of Mingo; daughter, Marlene Gjerset and her husband, Dave, of Minneapolis, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Michael and Gina Taylor of Mason City, Pam Taylor Datema and Ronn of Des Moines, Angela Scott Mark and Kenny of Chariton, Chris and Kristen Scott of Indianola, Dawn Scott Gibson and Sean of Ankeny, Sheri Gjerset of Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Susan Gjerset of Minneapolis, Minn.; seven great grandchildren; a brother, Floyd of Topeka, Kan.; and numerous nieces and nephews

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Dorothy; a brother, John; and two sisters, Leona Stephens and Margaret Taylor.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924

Mason City Globe Gazette, Jan. 20, 2003