Harvey Raymond Taylor

Harvey R. Taylor Age 77, of Wayne City, IL, formerly of Braidwood, IL, passed away Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Franciscan St. Anthony Health Center in Michigan City, IN. Born August 28, 1934 in Chicago, IL. After graduating high school in 1952, Harvey went to St. Louis for one week of baseball training and in March of 1953, he was drafted into Major League baseball by the St. Louis Browns as an outfielder. Due to a ligament injury, he was dismissed from the team in April. In 1954, he married Martha "Martie", they had four children and were married until Martha passed away in 1980. Harvey was mayor of Braidwood from 1998-2002. Harvey was a member of the Braidwood Lions Club and helped deliver food baskets. Harvey loved baseball, and was a lifetime Chicago Cubs fan. He attended the World Series game in 1945 (we think he described himself sneaking in somewhere near or under the scoreboard) and had his own seat in the flower box. He coached little league teams for 15+ years, leading several of his teams into championships. He was the President of the BBSA (Braidwood Baseball Softball Assoc.) for two years. Harvey enjoyed fishing at the cooling lake or at Lake Michigan. He would often wake Lynn and Aaron up at 3am to go get bait and Dunkin Donuts before we'd set up camp behind McCormick Place to catch a cooler full of lake perch. Harvey was instrumental in forming a group of parents who had children serving in Desert Storm. He helped organize the biggest welcome home parade in Braidwood history (an army tank was even in the parade). It always seemed that wherever we went - Harvey ALWAYS knew someone there. Whether it was a restaurant, longer trip, there was always someone he bumped into that he knew. To this day, whenever any of us go out and happen to see someone we know, we say we "pulled a Harv." Harvey and Sandy moved to Wayne City, IL in 2003, where Harvey retired to watch paint dry. Surviving are his wife, Sandra (nee Gustafson) Taylor, whom he married October 20, 1984; his mother, Lillian Taylor of CA; one daughter, Lynn Bailey of Chicago, IL; son, Aaron Bailey of Virginia Beach, VA; sister, Arlene Lawrence of Beecher, IL; also surviving are son, Bill Taylor of Hometown, IL; two daughters, Debbie Taylor of Blue Island, IL and Jane (Richard) Kohlmann of Plainfield, IL; and seven grandchildren, Jeremy, Heidi, Holly, Ryan, Karen, Lauren, and Bob. Preceding him in death was his father, Harvey Taylor; and one son, Russell Taylor. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial visitation will be at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd., Braidwood Chapel, Thursday, May 24, 2012 from 4-7 p.m. until time of memorial services starting at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, we would like to set up a memorial fund, where donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Harvey donated to this organization and was adamant about supporting our troops however he could. Donations can be made in memory of Harvey R. Taylor. Donations are accepted online or via mail (along with a form printed from website) to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675

Harvey Raymond Taylor

August 28, 1934 - May 17, 2012

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Harvey Raymond Taylor

August 28, 1934 - May 17, 2012

What We Do

Local Florists

Contact Us

About Us

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support