Francis A. ‘Pete’ Taylor, 87, of Traverse City, died Friday at the Grand Traverse Pavillions.
Born Jan. 8, 1912, in Crandalls Mill, he was the son of William M. and Esther S. (Ayers) Taylor. On June 20, 1936, he married Mary G. Weber who preceded him in death on July 30, 1987.
Pete was a resident of Traverse City area all of his life. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and worked at Sheffer Collet for 29 years before retiring in 1974. He enjoyed music and played several instruments by ear. Pete enjoyed entertaining his grandchildren by playing them songs on the organ. He was a great outdoors man and enjoyed fishing, hunting and loved his dog. He also loved his flowers in his flower garden. He was a member of the Senior Citizens Center and the Eagles.
He is survived by his children, Carol A. (David) Ketner of Colorado, Phyllis M. (Richard) Gertz of Traverse City, Daniel M. Taylor of Traverse City, Robert E. Taylor of Traverse City, Larry F. (Norene) Taylor of Florida; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Lorretta (DeVet) Johnson of Greenville; a brother, Kenneth (Georgia) Taylor of Florida and a half brother, Lee (Kay) Hoy of Traverse City.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant sister; brothers, Harold, Fred and George Taylor; and a sister, Mildred Weber.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. A scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City with Rev. James Gardiner as celebrant. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Grawn. Memorials may be directed to the Father Fred Foundation or to the Traverse City Senior Center.
