Gene Autry Taylor

January 14, 1940 - February 14, 2011

Gene Autry Taylor, 71, of Rushville, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 14, 2011 at Rush Memorial Hospital. He was born January 14, 1940 in Wickes, Arkansas, the only child of J.D. and Verna (Bingham) Taylor. Gene was a patient and compassionate person. His ardent love of the Lord led him to serve on numerous church boards and to sell his business to become the director of Beulah Mountain Children’s Home and Academy in Beulah Heights Kentucky. He served there for over 18 years. He also served as the Volunteer Fire Chief in Beulah Heights for 13 years. For many years he worked as a diesel mechanic and most recently in quality control for ADT. He loved gardening and cooking and had a passion for preserving heirloom tomato seeds and recipes. He attended the Connersville Church of the Bible Covenant. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Lora Fern (Jenkins) Taylor; a daughter, Rhonda (husband: Tim) Todd of Connersville; three sons, Richard (wife: Debra) Taylor of Greenfield, OH, Donald (wife: Sarah) Taylor of Rushville and Mark (wife: Skosha) Taylor of Greensburg; a host of children he raised as his own including, Lara Williams Mote, Edna, Calvin and Jeffrey Venable; and 19 grandchildren, Jennifer Todd of Lincoln, NE, John (wife: Ashleigh) Todd of Cincinnati, OH, Rebekah Todd of Shelbyville, Timothy N. Todd of Rock Island, IL, Joanna (husband: Roque) Brown of Indianapolis, Julia, Faith, James and Susanna Todd all of Connersville, Nathaniel (wife: Annalisa) Taylor of Muncie, Nolan Taylor of Indianapolis, Michael Taylor of Connersville, Matthew, Melissa, Melody and Marianne Taylor all of Rushville, Kaylea, Kamian and Kloey Taylor of Greensburg. He was preceded in death by a child he raised as his own, Tony Ray Williams and a grandson, Quinston Taylor. A service in celebration of Gene’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Woodland Bible Church, 835 W. County Road 300 N. Connersville, IN 47331 with the Revs Jerry Bell and Knox Bullock officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 – 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. Arrangements are in the care of Sproles Family Funeral Home, 2400 South Memorial Dr. New Castle, IN 47362.