Chester "Chet" Eugene Taylor, the son of Jesse W. and Linda Dickens Taylor, was born May 20, 1921 in Springfield, MO. His childhood years were spent in Springfield, where he received his education, graduating from Springfield High School in 1939.
Chet married Dorothy McCarty on May 15, 1941 in Ozark, MO. Following their marriage, they lived in Missouri, where he worked as a railroad brakeman for the Frisco railroad. He entered the military and served with the Army Air Corps during WWII from July 1943 until his honorable discharge on March 12, 1946. Chet was also an instructor on the B-17G "The Yuma Kid". Following his military discharge, he returned to Spencer, Iowa, where he owned and operated Chet's Conoco and later worked counter sales at Arnold Motor Company for 25 years, until his retirement in 1989. Chet was a member of the First Congregational Church in Spencer, where he was on the board of deacons. He was also active with the City Council, American Legion, was a volunteer fireman for 17 years, worked at the Clay County Fair, and was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society.
Chet passed away at the Spencer Hospital on Monday, December 1, 2008 at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers: Ira, Otis, Forrest, Willard, Roscoe and Oren.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Dorothy of Spencer; one daughter, Jane and her husband, David D. Nelson of Spencer; three sons: Gary Taylor and his wife, Beverley of Sioux Falls, SD, Dr. Dennis Taylor and his wife, Linda of Spencer and Timothy Taylor and his wife, Sherry of Blue Springs, MO; 12 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one brother, Clifton Taylor and his wife, AmaLee of Stephenville, TX; other relatives and many friends.
SERVICES
Memorial services will be held 10:30 A.M., Friday, December 5, 2008 at the First Congregation Church in Spencer.
OFFICIATING
Rev. Thomas Van Tassell
CASKET BEARERS
Vern Pepper & Chet's Fire Station Friends including:
Butch Sierck John Mills Doug Duncan
Jerry Poock Gerald Johannsen
VISITATION
Visitation with the family present will be 5 to 7:00 P.M., Thursday Evening at the Warner Funeral Home in Spencer.
MUSIC
"How Great Thou Art"
By The Congregation
"In The Garden"
By Rev. Wendy Van Tassell
ORGANIST: Elina Ozolins
INTERMENT
Riverside Cemetery
Spencer, Iowa
Military services will be conducted by Glen Pedersen Post #1 - American Legion following the graveside services.