- Date Of Birth: June 26, 1923
- Date Of Death: September 19, 2009
- State: Illinois
Francis John Taylor, 86, a retired farmer and political activist of rural Virginia, IL died Saturday, September 19, 2009 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.
John was born June 26, 1923 in Springfield, IL; the son of John H. and Edna E. (Taylor) Taylor. He married Dorothy Loring on November 28, 1953 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church near Rushville and she preceded him in death on October 12, 2007.
John is survived by his three nephews, C. Charles Taylor (wife, Judy) of rural Virginia, Henry Chandler Taylor of Frontenac, MO, and William J. Taylor (wife, Teri) of Bettendorf, IA, and several great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Cheslea Taylor (surviving wife, Mary Louise of rural Virginia) and a sister, Marjorie Taylor.
John was a 1940 graduate of Virginia High School and a 1945 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in agricultural economics. Upon graduation, he briefly worked at General Mills prior to beginning his farming career.
A dedicated Jaycee, John formerly served as president of the Beardstown Jaycees, president of the Illinois Jaycees, and vice president of the US Jaycees. In 1961, he was appointed to the Illinois State Fair board and later as an assistant to the Illinois Director of Agriculture. From 1964 until 1968, he worked as an assistant to Illinois Governors Otto Kerner and Sam Shapiro. He later served as an assistant to US Senator Adlai Stevenson from 1970 to 1980.
John formerly served on the Jacksonville Journal-Courier’s editorial board. He volunteered for several water and wetlands committees and advisory boards, which included his election as president of the Illinois Valley Flood Control Association. In addition, he served as one of the 20 member National Wetlands Policy Advisory Board which was chaired by Governor Thomas Kean of New Jersey.
John was a life member of the Illinois State Historical Society and served two terms as a director of the organization. He was on the advisory board of the Lincoln legal papers. He served two terms as a trustee for Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL and volunteered as a director of the Cass County Historical and Genealogical Society.
He was a member of Chandlerville Lodge #724 A.F. & A. M. and the Ansar Shrine Temple in Springfield.
