June 25, 2012

SMITHVILLE, N.Y.  —  John R. Taylor, 83, of Smithville, passed away Sunday, June 24, at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown.

The funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday, June 28, at the Smithville Baptist Church with Rev. Thomas Wilson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Smithville Cemetery. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday June 27, at Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home, Belleville.

Born Sept. 20, 1928, in Nashville, N.C., a son to James F. and Laura Mae Paul Taylor, he graduated from Adams Center High School. 

John served with the Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. 

Following his military service, he settled in Smithville where he worked construction for many years as a brick and block mason with the Bricklayers Union, Watertown.

John married Marlene Thomas on July 22, 1950. She passed away Dec. 8, 2004.

Mr. Taylor was a member of the Sackets American Legion and a former member of the Henderson Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by three sons, Thomas and Mary Jo, Watertown; Steven, Sunshine Valley; Jeffrey and Melinda, Holly Springs, NC; and a daughter, Brenda Janjani, Raleigh, NC. Seven grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews. 

Two sons, Johnny and Mark, and two brothers, Richard and James, all died before him.

Contributions may be made to the Smithville Baptist Church, the Rohde Center in Adams, or to the Sackets Harbor American Legion.

Online condolences, to the family, may be made at www.carpenterstoodley.com.

Information provided by Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.