Richard Donald "Sonny" Taylor

IN MEMORY OF: Richard Donald “Sonny” Taylor Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – ANNA-JONESBORO 135 West Vienna Street, Anna, Illinois Richard Donald “Sonny” Taylor, 88, of Marion, IL passed away at 12:30 am on March 11, 2023 in Herrin Hospital. Richard was born February 12, 1935 in Vienna, IL to Edward Richard and Gladys (Sanders) Taylor and given the nickname Sonny by his mother. The family later moved to Mounds where Richard grew up. He was a graduate of the MTHS class of 1953. He married Bonita Ridgeway of Mounds in 1951 and they had three children. He married Marsha Anderson of Flora, IL on October 30, 1980 and they shared 42 years together. Almost the entirety of Richard’s career was spent in the grocery business. As a teenager he worked at Melton’s Grocery in Mounds and later became a meat cutter at Eisner Food Store, beginning as a journeyman meat cutter, advancing to Meat Market Manager in Champaign/Urbana, Peoria and Lafayette, IN. After leaving Eisners, Richard moved to Flora, IL and joined his brother-in-law, Bill Ridgeway, in owing/operating Henny Penny Chicken Farm and The Store. While living in Flora, he also met and married Marsha. Following his business ventures in Flora, Richard worked as a grocery salesman for Core-Mark, Berkeley, IL, Hulman & Company, Terre Haute, IN, and as a food merchandiser for Kraft Foods. Richard loved everything outdoors, yardwork, gardening, bike riding, camping, boating and fishing. He was delighted to introduce his grand and great-grandchildren to fishing and boating. He was always drawn back to Horseshoe Lake and Melton’s Fishing Camp where he had many wonderful memories. After his retirement in 1997, Richard and Marsha moved to Lake of Egypt where they were welcomed by everyone on Clifty Heights, (the best block on LOE) and had 15 years of fun and living the dream of a waterfront home. Richard is survived by his wife, Marsha; sisters, Mary Taylor Ellis of Russellville, AK and Ruth Taylor Pirtle of St. Charles, MO; son Richard (Donna) Taylor of Brownsburg IN, son Phil (Pat Callahan) Taylor of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and daughter Laura (Brad) Bunker of Salt Lake City, UT; six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including the Melton family who dubbed him their “favorite uncle.” Richard was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Pauline Taylor Melton, grandson Justin Taylor and his beloved Boston Terrier Peggy Sue. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Crain Funeral Home, 135 West Vienna Street, Anna, IL on March 25, 2023. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm and the service will follow at 2:00 pm. All attending are welcome to share their memories of Richard. Following the service, burial will take place at Zion Cemetery, Ozark. Memorials may be made to Zion Cemetery, c/o Dianne Hill/PO Box 118/New Burnside, IL 62967 and will also be accepted at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Crain Funeral Home.

Richard Donald "Sonny" Taylor

February 12, 1935 - March 11, 2023