Richard "Dick" F. Taylor

Richard F. "Dick" Taylor, 84, of Ponca, NE went home to Jesus on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, while surrounded by his family at a local hospital.Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, October 29, 2012 at the Ponca State Park Resource Center with Pastor Joe Zimmerman officiating. Burial will be in the Ponca City Cemetery in Ponca with military rites conducted by the Ponca American Legion Post #117. Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Christ the King Community Church in Ponca. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, NE. Online condolences to the family may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.Dick was born on November 12, 1927 in Sioux City, IA, the son of Gaylord and Hazel (Cook) Taylor. He graduated from Ponca High School in 1945 and has always remained an avid Ponca fan. After graduation he entered the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for 6 years, 9 months and 17 days during WW II and the Korean Conflict Dick married Twila Nelson on May 20, 1950 in Emerson, NE. To this union 8 children were born. He was a lifelong resident of Ponca, with the exception of five years, while he worked for Western Construction in Weeping Water, NE and in Junction City, KS. He was in the construction business all of his life and was the owner of Taylor Construction.He was a member of Christ the King Community Church in Ponca, the Ponca American Legion Post #117, and was a lifetime N.R.A. member. He served on the church council and city council. He was an avid reader who loved history. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and took great joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially all of his grand and great-grandchildren.Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Twila Taylor; children, Brenda (Ron) McGill, Donnie (Carla) Taylor, daughter-in-law, Joan Taylor, Merrie (Terry) Eriksen, Lisa (Kenny) Hohenstein, Holly (Tom) Walsh, Melanie (Mark) Charlson; 30 grandchilden; 45 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Dale (Catherine) Nelson, Elmer Kamrath; sisters-in-law, Leona Bottorff, Mavis Nelson, Gloria Nelson; nieces, nephews and cousins.Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Gaylord and Hazel Taylor; a son, Jeff, and an infant son, Demi; grandson, Christian Charlson; sister, Joan Cooper; and brother-in-law, Darrell Cooper.