James Taylor Obituary (1940 – 2023) – Spring Valley, IL – News Tribune | CPT PPP Coverage

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James F. (Jim/Skip) Taylor
Born: August 21, 1940
Died: October 11, 2023
James F. Taylor (Jim or Skip), 83, of Spring Valley, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at his home, following a six week illness with pancreatic cancer.
Funeral services for Jim will begin at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 14th, at the Spring Valley United Church of Christ, with Pastor Jon Graham officiating. Burial will follow at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Spring Valley American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation for Jim will be held Friday, October 13, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the Barto Funeral Home, Spring Valley, with additional visitation Saturday morning at the church, from 10:00 AM until time of funeral services.
Jim was born August 21, 1940 at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley to James and Anna Angelina (Rivara) Taylor.
Jim graduated from Hall High School with the Class of 1958. While in high school, he participated in football, basketball, track, baseball, and Letterman’s Club. He also attended LPO Junior College for three semesters until his dad got sick and he went to work to help support the family.
Jim was drafted into the United States Army on March 4, 1964 and honorably discharged on April 11, 1966. Jim served with the Big Red 1–the First Army Division in Vietnam. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, the 2nd Class Gunner Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksman Badge, Sharpshooter Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, and a Good Conduct Medal.
Upon returning from service, Jim began working at American Nickeloid in Peru, IL, where he continued to work for 41 years.
On October, 20, 1984, Jim was united in marriage at the Spring Valley United Church of Christ to Billie Jean Lust of Spring Valley.
Jim was a member of the Spring Valley United Church of Christ, where he served on the Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, sang in the church choir, and was a faithful worker at peanut brittle making, spaghetti suppers, and any other projects that came along at the church. He was a proud member of the Spring Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars, of which he was commander the past 19 years, the Spring Valley American Legion, where he was commander for 1 year, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, and the ANCO Credit Union Board (a position he held since his election in 2004). While on the credit union board, he served as both secretary and chair of the membership committee.
Jim enjoyed gardening and fishing in northern Minnesota. He bowled for many years and even set pins at the old Prosperity Club Lanes. Spending time with family, especially his grandson, was important to Jim.
Jim is survived by his wife, Billie Jean; his daughter, Elizabeth (Nick) Dornik of Canton, Michigan; his son, Andrew Taylor of Springfield; his grandson, Ryan James Dornik, of Canton, Michigan; his sister, Mary Anne (the late Don) Bolin of Yorkville; his brother, Charles (Marie) Taylor of Spring Valley; a niece, two nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Serving as pallbearers will be Robert Reed, Daniel Savitch, James Welther, Michael Bolin, Robert Redshaw, and Kevin Dornik.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Spring Valley United Church of Christ or OSF Hospice, who cared for Jim the last few days of his life.
A guestbook may be signed and memories shared with the family by visiting bartofh.com.

Published by News Tribune on Oct. 14, 2023.