Bernard Arthur Taylor

Beloved Husband, Father and Uncle Bernard Taylor went to be with the Lord on October 22, 2014. Bernard Arthur Taylor was the youngest of four children born to Frederick John Taylor and Florence Olive Taylor (Bradford). He was the twelfth generation descendant of Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony. Bernard attended Mattawan Schools and graduated from Schoolcraft Community Schools in 1944. He attended Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) in the agricultural program following high school. Bernard met and married the love of his life, Faye Elizabeth Taylor (Barram) in 1950, and they spent 64 wonderful years together. Bernard served as the Prairie Ronde Township supervisor for 12 years. He was also the president of the PTO. They had five children, eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Bernard farmed about 800 acres for most of his life, having helped his father as a young boy and continuing this work through until retirement. Bernard kept around 2,500 chickens and sold eggs around Kalamazoo County. He was an amazing patriarch; a model of hard work, integrity, and wisdom who was known for his warm humor and gentle, loving advice. Bernard was a patriot who could always be counted on to strike up a conversation about farming or the country. Bernard enjoyed spending time with his family at their original farmhouse watching children and grandchildren swim in their pool. Bernard and Faye hosted many a family get-together for their loved ones. He spent some time as a bee keeper making honey for friends and family, he hunted on his property often, and bowled for the Kalamazoo County State Bank Team. Bernard is survived by his wife, Faye, his son Frederick (Diane) Taylor, his daughter, Debi (Robert) Windon, his son, Jack (Anne) Taylor, his son, Steven (Jenny) Taylor, and his daughter, Sara (Alex) Kowalski. He leaves behind grandchildren, Frederick John III (Sheri) Taylor, Peter Andrew (Elizabeth) Taylor, Nathaniel Arthur (Audree Morrison) Taylor, Alexander Inkster, Benjamin Jack Taylor, Carolyn Marie (Dutch) Meyer, Jennifer Anne Taylor, Ashley Brooke (Chad Parker) Taylor, Steven Scott (Lisa) Taylor, Amanda Lynne (Jeremy Weber) Taylor, and Alexis Rae Taylor. He also leaves behind great-grandchildren Nicholas Frederick Taylor, Jacob Thomas Taylor, Halee Diann Taylor, Alec Salvador Taylor, Isabella Audain Parker, Brookelynne Faye Parker, and Landon Taylor Best. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Doris Willis and cherished nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frederick John Taylor and Florence Olive Bradford, his brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Jeannette Taylor, brother, George Verne Taylor, Brother in law Leroy Willis, great-grandchildren, Amara Reilly Parker and Riley Glen Parker.