Harris Allen "Ted' Taylor

Harris Allen “Ted” Taylor, age 90, of Clinton, Iowa, died Thursday, August 4, 2011, at the Alverno Healthcare Facility in Clinton. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 8, 2011 at the Miller-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Preston, Iowa. Burial will follow at Van Buren Cemetery, rural Preston. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 7, 2011 at Miller-Law-Jones Fuernal Home with a Masonic Service held at 6:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established in Harris’s name.
Harris was born July 26, 1921, in Preston, Iowa, the son of Albert and Martha (Dietiker) Taylor. Harris attended Preston High School and graduated with the Class of 1939. He honorably served his country in the United States Army with the 618th ORD Amo Group Co. Harris married Wanda Ayers in 1954 and she died on January 17, 1990.Harris worked for several manufacturing companies including Clinton Engines in Maquoketa. He also worked for the Jackson County Road Crew before retiring. Harris was a past master of the Preston Lodge #51 and was a 32nd degree mason with the Bellevue and Clinton Masonic Lodges. He was also a member of the Eastern Star in Bellevue and recieved the Grand Cross from the Rainbow Girls. He was also a member of the American Legion in Spragueville and Bellevue and the 40 & 8 Legion Group in Spragueville. Harris enjoyed reading, traveling, antiques and collecting antique toys. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his companion of twenty years, Mary Jane Whalen.
Harris is survived by his companion, Mary Jane Whalen of Clinton and her children, Sharon (Mark) Mapes of Sacramento, California, Jane Ellen (Ron) Wynkoop of Clinton and Rick (Deb) McGrath of Polk City, Iowa; two sons, Rick (Lisa) Taylor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Randy (Rusty) Taylor of Chicago, Illinois; four daughters, Rae Jeanne (Alan) Flor of Sabula, Iowa, Rhonda (Randy) Rowan of Spragueville, Mary (Francis) Mussmann of Clinton and Donna (Lyman) Lindemier of Cottonwood, Arizona; twenty-two grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren. Harris is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Wanda.