Jack L. Taylor

Jack L. Taylor, 84, of Lakeside, OH died January 9, 2009 at Otterbein Northshore Retirement Community. He was born June 18, 1924 in Shaker Heights, OH the son of Barnett W. and Mae (Seymour) Taylor. He married Norma Jane Gill on June 13, 1944 and she survives. He was a 1949 graduate of Anderson College receiving his BA in Science. He was a United States Army Air Corps veteran serving in World War II. Mr. Taylor was the owner/operator of Willoughby Hardware from 1949 until 1968. He then became the assistant Administrator of Elyria Homes and in 1970 he became the administrator of Elyria Homes. In 1973 he was hired as the Executive Director of United Methodist Homes for the State of New Jersey. While he was the executive director he expanded the operation from six facilities to 10 facilities and more than doubled the occupants. He retired in 1991 and moved to Lakeside where he had been visiting since he was a teen. He was a member of the National Hardware Association, Willoughby Chamber of Commerce where he was a past president, Willoughby United Methodist Church where he was active on several committees, Finance Board of Elyria Homes prior to being its director, Board of Directors of Otterbein Northshore, Lakeside United Methodist Church where he was the head of the Spring Recycling Sale and an active volunteer for many organizations including the Food pantry. He was a Lions Club member in several communities achieving over 50 years of perfect attendance and receiving the Melvin Jones Award from Lions International. Jack enjoyed traveling to all 50 states with his family. Surviving are his wife of 64 years Norma J.; sons: James (Evelyn) G. of Kansas City, Jeffrey G. of Tiffin; grandchildren: Heather Taylor, Jason Taylor, Melanie (Sam) Park, Jay Taylor; great-grandson Jonah Taylor, brother: Rev. Thomas W. (Nell) Taylor of Broadview Heights, OH. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter: Christine Marie Taylor, brothers: James, S. and Barnett W. Taylor III. Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 am Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Lakeside United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends following the service at Otterbein Northshore Retirement Community. Additional services will be held Friday at 11:00 am at Willoughby United Methodist Church with entombment to follow in the Willoughby Columbarium. Memorial contributions maybe given to First Call for Help. Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, LakesideMarblehead is assisting the family with arrangements. On line condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com . Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Peninsula Chapel 7755 East Harbor Road Lakeside-Marblehead, OH