- Date Of Birth: October 4, 1935
- Date Of Death: August 1, 2021
- State: Illinois
Rita Taylor, 85, of Centralia, passed away on August 1, 2021, at Centralia Fireside House with her family at her side. She was born October 4, 1935, in Damiansville, IL, the daughter of Bernard and Frances(Grapperhaus) Santel.
She married Norman Taylor on April 26, 1955, and he preceded her in death. She is survived by two sons: David Taylor and wife Holly of Lebanon, MO, and John Taylor and wife Cindy of Centralia; four grandchildren: Amanda Copple and husband Matt, Melissa Defend and husband Ryan, Nathan Taylor and wife Liz, and Cassie Stover and husband Chris all of Centralia. 8 great-grandchildren.
Also, surviving are sisters: Rose Kuhl (Lavern), Sylvia Hyde, and Dorothy Bollmeier (Don), brother-in-law James Taylor and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Viola Hemker, brothers and sisters-in-law, Wayne Hyde, Virgil Hemker, Bernard and Opal Suhl, Wilson Taylor, Billie Taylor, Betty, and Ray Fogerty, Rita Taylor, and great-granddaughter, Alyssa Heath. Rita was a faithful employee of Raymond & Dorothy McGuire for many years. She loved to play pinochle, watch westerns and Hallmark movies, and just sit outside and enjoy nature.
She was a member of St. Mary Church in Centralia and also a member of the St. Mary Altar Society. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
