Virgil Taylor Jr. Obituary (1920

Pastor Virgil LeRoy Taylor Jr., 85 of Decatur went home to be with the Lord Saturday (June 17, 2006). An evening service will be held at Central Baptist Church in Decatur Wednesday (June 21) at 7:00 pm. with Pastor David Brown officiating. He and Pastor Jerry Cummings will officiate a second service in Danville, IL., at First Baptist Church 1211 Vermilion Street on Thursday at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be one hour before each service. Burial will be in the Veterans Section of Sunset Memorial Park in Danville with Pastor Gordon Edgington officiating. Arrangements are being made by Tanzyus-Logan Funeral Service Inc. of Decatur. Pastor Taylor was born in August of 1920 in Danville, IL., the son of Virgil and Grances (Miller) Taylor Sr. He married Lena Mildred Burrus in Danville, IL., they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on March 17, 2006. He retired from Meadow Gold Dairy in Danville. In 1971 he became manager and General Manager of Bonanza Steak Houses in Decatur, IL., for his daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Jerry Gritton, for 21 years. He served in the Army in Company B, 28th Division, 112th Infantry during W.W.II. He was a valiant combat soldier fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and Rhineland Campaign. His courage and bravery earned him the Combat Infantry Badge, Victory Medal, Bronze Star, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two bronze battle stars, one overseas service bar, Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart. He believed in the freedom of this country under God. His heart was saddened by the life sacrifices of his fellow man and this nation drifting away from God. While living in Danville he attended Midwest Baptist College, graduating in 1966. He was ordained into the ministry on March 12, 1967, at Vermilion Chapel Regular Baptist Church. For several years Pastor Taylor served as interim pastor for numerous fundamental Baptist churches throughout central Illinois while congregations sought a permanent pastor. For nine years he was Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church near Bethany, IL. He loved all the people whom God called him to shepherd. He and his wife were members of the Central Baptist Church and had a special love for Pastor Brown and his family and the brothers and sisters in Christ. He is survived by his loving wife, three daughters and one son, Dorothy (Jerry) Gritton of Decatur, Sondra (Mike) DeRaps of Arkansas, Donna (LeRoy) Reese of Bismark, Robert Scott (Brenda) Taylor of Mahomet, 14 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter (Sandra Ann), a son-in-law (Ron Edington), twin great grandsons (Brent & Jacob Allen), two brothers (William & Edward), and one sister (Linda). Pastor Taylor dearly loved the Lord whom he faithfully served, his family with whom he spent many hours fishing and just being together, and his country which he dutifully served. He will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends. He will never be forgotten. The family request memorials be sent to the Central Baptist Church Building Fund, 945 S. Jasper Decatur, IL. 62521. The family wishes to thank their friends and Church families for their prayers and support and the caring doctors and nurses who have attended Pastor Taylor. Psalm 31:1 "In Thee, O Lord, do i put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in they righteousness" John 14:1-6. Please sign the family guestbook.