Earl Arthur Taylor, 83 of Stronghurst, IL., died at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday January 23, 2013 in the Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab Center in Stronghurst. He was born November 12, 1929, near Aledo, IL., the son of Oscar and Belva Hall Taylor. On December 27, 1951, he married Mary Lee Hemminger in Media, Illinois.

Mr. Taylor had worked for Media Township from 1951 to 1952, and then farmed most of his life, first near Bald Bluff, with his father, and later, near Biggsville from 1955 until 1963. He then moved to the farm near Media, where he lived and farmed until retiring in 2002. In 1961, he started a Pee Wee Baseball team in Media for the area youth. He was a member of the Media Community United Presbyterian Church, where he had served as trustee, elder, and treasurer for many years.

Survivors include his wife, one daughter- Debra Sue Gillam of Media, one son- Craig (Diana) Taylor of Media, six grandchildren- Wendy (Tracy) Ell and Brent Kennedy, both of Columbia, MO., Jade (Dustin) Parker of Media, Paige Taylor of Dallas City, IL., Jace Taylor of Joy, IL., Julianna Gillam of Media, five great grandchildren- Alec, Christian and Rhoan Ell, and Londyn and Easton Parker, four sisters- Betty Gustafson of Rock Island, IL., Evelyn (Earl) Stroops of Davenport, IA., Louise Woods of East Moline, IL., Joyce Jeffries of Little Rock, AR., and one brother- Daniel Taylor of Little York, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother- Roy Taylor and one sister- Phyllis Dunsworth.

The funeral for Earl Taylor will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday January 26, 2013 in the Media Community United Presbyterian Church with Pastor Phil Cooper officiating. Burial will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery, near Media. Friends may call as they desire after 2:00 p.m. Friday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Media Community United Presbyterian Church or Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab. Condolences may be left at www.banksandbeals.com.