John Haver Taylor

JOHN HAVER TAYLOR , 81 of Orleans, Nebraska

On Saturday, August 7, 2021, John Haver Taylor of rural Orleans formerly of Smithfield departed to his heavenly home.

John was born June 9, 1940 to John & Charline (Bruner) Taylor at his grandmother’s sod home north of Broadwater, Ne.

He received his early education at school district 151 near the family farm with practical lessons from his dad and WWII veteran uncles on mechanics and life ethics that was equally important in shaping who we knew him to be. In March 1952, the family moved to Miller to farm & raise sheep moving in March 1955 to Overton where he graduated in the class of 1957. During high school he and his brothers worked for his father and many area farmers including Albert White a pilot and well driller N.W. of Overton who witched wells. He also worked for Foote Oil Co. at Kearney. He “never forgot a vehicle he met” even from childhood and could fix ANYTHING with just a pair of pliers.

On May 26, 1961 he married the great love of his life Karolyn Hagan making their home on the Wingler place S.W. of Overton with employment at Progress Products and then Trautmans Sixth Street Locker in Lexington, The young family purchased their home in Smithfield in the mid-1960’s after gaining employment at Lexington Coop where he made his 40+ years career retiring in 2002.

After raising their 6 children John & Kay moved to rural Orleans in 2008 to enjoy their retirement years together.

With John’s example of strength in humility among those family members in mourning are his children, Charles (Mert) Taylor of Smithfield, Kim (Tom) Bock of Orleans, John Taylor,II of Orleans, Sonya (James) Cassidy of Holdrege, LaRae Taylor of Orleans and Joshua Taylor of Overton; Grandchildren, Jemie (Charlie) Lemmon, Kristina Bowles, T.J. (Jessica) Bock, Kellie (and fiancé Cordell Bean) Bock, Adam (Kirsten) Cassidy, Brittany (Alex) Brush, Matt Rice and Taylor Dickinson, and Aurora Taylor; great-grandchildren, Alaysia, Dusty, Bailey, Hunter, Austin, Kendra, Asher, Bradyn, Kimberlynn, Gabriel, Thomas, Oliver, Noah, Liliana, Creed, Draken, Asher, Kynlee, Cassidy, Karolyn, Nova, Izabella, Kennedy ; great-great-grandchild, Aiden; sister, Charline Harris of Broadwater; brothers, Norm Taylor of Overton and James (Monica) Taylor of Savannah, Tennessee; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Creed of Bear, Delaware and Loretta Hagan of Belvidere, Illinois; special niece, Gail Johnson and also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Karolyn in 2011, and a grandson; Timothy Lee Taylor.

A Memorial service will be held Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Westmark Evangelical Free Church in rural Bertrand with Pastor Noah Tyler, officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Inurnment will be at a later date in the Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com