Obituary of Francis James Taylor

Frank is survived by his wife, Mary, two sons, Tom of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mike (Jennifer) of Bloomington, Minnesota. Twin daughters, Janeen Graf of Louisville, Kentucky, and Kathy (Paul) Jordan of Oviedo, Florida; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Natalie & Nicole Graf, Miles Link, Jon Paul and Anna Jordan, and Andy Taylor. Frank is also survived by six brothers, Ray (Joan) of Dubuque, Charles (Lois) of Dyersville, IA, Joe (Karol) and John (Barb) of Holy Cross, IA, Jim (Marie) of Center Junction, IA and Paul (Sue) of Zwingle, IA; five sisters, Mary (Wayne) Kahle of Hazel Green, WI, Helen (Scotty) Thomas of San Francisco, CA, Jane (Ken) Rausch of Knoxville, TN, Bridget (Robert) Kluesner of St. Paul, MN, and Patricia (Mike) Thies of Peosta, IA and 28 nieces and nephews. Two brothers-in-law, Eddie Connelly of Egan, Minnesota, Bob Connelly of Dubuque, Iowa, and one sister-in-law, Sharon Fehling of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Dorothy Taylor, and his father & mother-in-law, Dr. Edgar & Pearl Connelly, and sister-in-law Jean Connelly. Frank was born on May 6, 1938 in Holy Cross, IA, the third of twelve children of Francis and Dorothy (Rea) Taylor. Frank graduated from Loras College in 1960, taught at DeLasalle High School in Minneapolis and then entered the US Navy in 1961, where he was an S2D pilot on the USS Essex for five years. He then flew for Northwest Airline for 29 years, where he reached the rank of B747-400 Captain. He married Mary E. Connelly on December 27, 1961 at St. Columbkille's Church in Dubuque. Frank loved his family, his faith, Iowa farming and his flying. He was an avid letter writer, on his long trips away from home, he wrote to those who were ill, in nursing homes, alone, or just in need of encouragement. There were no strangers in Frank's eyes, only friends he hadn't yet been introduced to! Frank always showed great respect for people, especially for the elderly, and he loved to visit with them. He took the neighborliness that he experienced in his youth and shared that experience with everyone he met, and especially with those who lived near him. Frank will forever be remembered for his compassion, his wisdom and his brave journey through life and death. Francis J. "Frank" Taylor of Oviedo, Florida, formerly of the Holy Cross area, died on July, 5th 2009, at 1121pm, surrounded by his family. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2009 at Kramer Funeral Home in Holy Cross where a parish scripture service will be held at 4 p.m. The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Holy Cross with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Raymond Burkle will officiate. Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 137.