John E. Taylor

John E. Taylor, 90, of Bear Rocks, formerly of Jeannette, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 18 in the Harmon House Care Center, Mt. Pleasant. John was born on May 3, 1923 in Charleroi, the son of the late Bartrum J. and Inez Milby Taylor. IN addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Cora Belle Springer Taylor in 2002, his brother Byron (Bill) Taylor in 2007 and a sister Ruth Hubans in 2010. John graduated from Charleroi High School in 1940 and enlisted in the Army in 1943. After attending Aero Industries Technical Institute in Glendale, CA, he served in the 8th and 9th Air Force during World War II in England, France, Germany, and Belgium. As an airplane mechanic at the Burtonwood Air Depot near Warrington, England, he received a commendation from Brigadier General Isaac W. Ott as he and his fellow technicians set an all-time record in 1944 for overhauling and returning to service 2,277 aircraft engines in one month in preparation for the D-Day Invasion. Prior to his retirement, John owned and operated Taylor Auto Service which was located in Jeannette from 1946 to 1949. Later in 1949, he along with his father and brother, built and operated Taylor Auto Pars on Lowry Avenue in Jeannette where Carquest Auto Parts now stands. Taylor Auto Service re-opened in Greensburg in 1950 and was in operation until John retired in 1985. John enjoyed serving his many loyal customers over the years and appreciated his excellent employees, some who were with him his entire time in business. john's love for his family will be sadly missed but never forgotten. he is survived by his daughter Judy Wilson (Robert) of Greensburg, and his son Robert Taylor (Margaret) of Bear Rocks; grandchildren Jeffrey Wilson (Linda), John Wilson (Therese Simpson), Shari McHenry (John II), Chris Ann Boyce (David), Erin Hresko (Patrick), and Megan Taylor (Justin Heiser); great-grandchildren Haley and Amy Wilson, John III and Corey McHenry, Parker and Colson Boyce, Gillian, Claire and ASher Hresko; sister Jean Wood (Thomas) of Rockville, Maryland, sister-in-law Lois Davis of Birmingham, Alabama, Aunt Mary Yapchanyk of Belle Vernon; several nieces and nephews; and his faithful companion pet, Tammy Cat. John was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jeannette, the Burtonwood Association, VFW Post 33 Greensburg, American Legion Post 446 Mt. Pleasant, F&AM Masonic Lodge 615 Charleroi, JUnior Order of United American Mechanics and a past member of the Pennsylvania Gasoline Retailers Association. The family would like to thank the professional staff at Harmon House and Grane Hospice for the kind and loving care that John received. Friends will be received f2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM Wednesday at the Saloom-Rega Funeral Home 730 W. Main Street Mt. Pleasant. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 AM in the funeral home with Pastor Amy Chesla officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org ) or the charity of your choice.