Joseph Allen Taylor (1937-2014)

Joseph Allen Taylor, 76, was born to eternal life Saturday, November 8, 2014.

Born on December 3, 1937, Joe was raised in Terre Haute, Indiana.  According to Joe, he was a graduate of the school of ‘hard knocks’.  He lived a colorful life and loved to share the stories of his adventures.  He was a true cowboy at heart and had an unending love for animals.

He was a Veteran of the United States Navy and held many jobs in his long life.  His early years included life as a rodeo rider, bucking broncos and riding bulls as well as a cowboy on a dude ranch.  He was an ironworker where he ‘climbed the steel’, a roustabout in the circus and drove the ‘big rigs’ in the mountains of Colorado.  In order to move his family back to Wisconsin he ‘rode the rails’ and worked his way across the United States where he then settled down to a career as a machine repairman for General Motors.

Joe loved fishing and hunting.  He was a skilled master woodworker creating many keepsakes for his family to cherish.  He loved music and played many instruments.  In his early years he loved riding his Indian motorcycle and racing folks backwards down mountain roads in his car.

Joe married Diane Pepper in 1958 and together they raised 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Diane, children:  Wade Taylor, Dawn (Michael) Waite, Wesley (Dana) Taylor and Tawnia (Gordon) Craig; grandchildren: Jennifer (Ian) Haas, Megan (Earl) Taylor, Caitlyn Taylor, Taylor (Jesikah) Waite, Lydia Taylor, Caleb Taylor, Johanna Taylor and Harrison Craig; and great grandchildren: Franko Williams, Evelyn Grieve, Derek Williams and Juliana Williams.  He is also survived by his sisters Susan Dupont and Nancy Bralick and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

He is predeceased by his parents Calvin Taylor and Etta Mae Schmidt and his sister Charleen Morgan.

Services will be held Thursday Nov. 13, 2014.  Viewing 5-6:30, Service 6:30 at Tri-County Baptist Church, 8040 S 100th St, Franklin, WI

In lieu of flowers donations to Friends of MADACC would be welcome.