John F. Taylor, 87

John F. Taylor, 87, of Athol, Idaho, passed away on Feb. 16, 2014, at Hospice House in Hayden, Idaho, with his family by his side.

Viewing will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel. Graveside service will follow at 1p.m. at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum.

John was born on Oct. 26, 1926, in Priest River, Idaho, to Louis and Maria (Clementi) Taylor. He graduated from Priest River High School as salutatorian.

He worked at Diamond Match Mill, Bunker Hill for 30 years and Danielson Tool and Die. In 1951 he married Anita M. Dilley. They lived in Moyie Springs for many years and moved to Athol in 2006.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anita, and their five children, Russ Taylor, Lynn Ploetzner (Karl), Julie Oliver, Gail Randall (Tim) and Mitch Taylor (Desi) and seven grand children, Melanie Hammond, Joe Ploetzner, Jamie Ploetzner, Maren Jorgensen Green, Nicole Jorgensen, Danielle Taylor and Andrea Taylor, and six great grand children.

He is also survived by two sisters, Leoda Newell and Emma Glazier.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joseph Taylor.

John was an avid mountain climber and left registers on the top of over 50 mountains in Idaho and British Columbia, Canada. John also loved, camping, photography, listening to many types of music and spending time with his family.

Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit John’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com

The family requests donations be made to Hospice House in Hayden.