Richard Taylor

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Richard Dean Taylor, 74, died on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, N.C.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, at Boles Funeral Home in Pinehurst. Funeral services will be held at noon at Boles Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park with military honors.

Mr. Taylor was born on May 7, 1933, in Pinckneyville, to the late Roy and Magdelane McReynolds Taylor. He served three years in the Marines, receiving a Purple Heart in Korea. He also served 17 years in the U.S. Army. He retired as a major and received a Bronze Star.

As a civilian, he worked in personnel in industrial relations. He was a member of the Masons, serving as past Master, Order of the Eastern Star and as past Worthy Patron, the Shriners, the VFW and the Military Officers Association of America.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Magdelane McReynolds Taylor; a brother, LeRoy Taylor; and two uncles, Loren Fisher of Tamaroa and H.R. Fisher.

Survivors include his wife, Sheryl B. Taylor; his children, Richard D. Taylor II and wife Amy of Chicago, Melody Carel and husband Mark of Springfield, Lynne S. Ligett of Greeneville, N.C., robert A. Ligett Jr. and wife Allison of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Brian E. Ligett and wife Linda of Wake Forest, N.C.; his sister Donna Kruse and husband Robert of Troy, Mich., and seven grandchildren.

Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst is in charge of the arrangements.