Donald Ray Taylor

Donald Ray Taylor, 78, of North Vernon, passed away at 5:54 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at his residence.

Born May 20, 1941, in Zenas, he was the son of the late Harold and Gladys (Riley) Taylor. He married Nellie June (Killion) Taylor on June 13, 1964 in Brazil; she preceded him in death.

Donald was a 1959 graduate of North Vernon High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Army. He worked in fuel systems for the Cummins Engine Company in Columbus for 35 years before retiring in 2005. Donald was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in North Vernon and the Diesel Workers Union. He enjoyed bowling, playing music, and watching I.U. basketball and Indianapolis Colts football. He loved NASCAR, particularly Jeff Gordon, and animals.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen (Chris) Hiatt of North Vernon; brother, Gayle (Sheila) Taylor of North Vernon; sisters, Beverly Marie Taylor and Anita Marie Lesnet, both of Columbus; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Steve Taylor; grandson, Russell Bradley Coquerille; and sister, Carolyn Sue Yates.

In keeping with the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines, a funeral service of no more than 25 people will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at the First Church of the Nazarene with Revs. Caleb Reynolds and Jake Arnold officiating. A Facebook Live will be conducted during the service. A visitation for Donald will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Also in accordance with the CDC’s guidelines, no more than 25 people will be allowed into the funeral home during the visitation at a time. We thank our families for their continued cooperation and support during this time as we work to help keep our community safe. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorial donations may be made in Donald’s honor through the funeral home to the First Church of the Nazarene in North Vernon.

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