Robert L. “Bob” Taylor Sr., 78, of Goshen died Saturday at Ridgeview Elder Care Rehabilitation Center.
Mr. Taylor was born Oct. 13, 1933, the son of T. Lee and Jessie R. (Shomo) Taylor.
He graduated valedictorian from Clearfield Area High School, class of 1951, and also participated in wrestling and the rifle club.
Mr. Taylor retired from River Hill Coal Co. after 22 years of service and had also worked as a general contractor and for Herbert B. Imbt, bridge construction.
He was a member of the Goshen United Methodist Church and served as Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher and Certified Lay Speaker.
He volunteered at the Clearfield Hospital, where he was known as the “Candy Man,” and the Clearfield Hospice. He was gratefully recognized for the Heart of Hospice Award in 2000 by the Clearfield/Nittany Hospice. He was also a former member of the Clearfield Moose No. 97.
Mr. Taylor is survived by nine children, Richard E. Dixon and his companion, Charlene of Masonville, CO.; John P. Dixon Jr. and his wife, Debbie of New Port Richey, FL.;
Donna M. Homman and her husband, Don of Bigler; Marie Elizabeth Taylor of Warner Robins, GA.; Thomas J. Dixon and his wife, Becky of Atwater, CA; Mona Jean Alves of Fayetteville, NC; Diane Voss and her husband, Dan of Clearfield; Christine McCracken and her husband, Pastor Dennis of Ramey; and W. Dean Dixon and his wife, Shirley of West Decatur.
Also surviving are 26 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, a brother, John W. Taylor and his wife, Erma Jean of Goshen, six sisters, Althea Wallace of Woodland, Joyce Dixon of Youngstown, OH., Mary Liddle and her husband, William P. and Arvena Lauver and her husband, Charles, all of Clearfield, Lola Farzan-Rad and her husband, Matt of Daytona Beach, FL., and Roberta Pacheco and her husband, Raul of Roeland Park, KS and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elizabeth M. “Betty” (Warren) Taylor, whom he married Feb. 10, 1973 and whom died Sept. 11, 2009, a son Robert Lee Taylor Jr., a granddaughter, Misty Hogan, a grandson, Joshua McCracken, a great-great grandson, Matthew Dotts, two brothers, Elry and Thomas Taylor and a sister, Patricia Martell.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Goshen United Methodist Church with Pastor Susan Arnold and Mr. Taylor’s son-in-law, Pastor Dennis McCracken co-officiating. Interment will be in Goshen Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Bennett and Houser Funeral Home Inc., of Clearfield.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Goshen United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 162 Shawville, PA 16873, or to the Joseph and Elizabeth Shaw Public Library, 1 S. Front St., Clearfield, PA 16830.
To send an online tribute, go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.