Obituary of Duane Taylor

A service of celebration will be held at Union Memorial Church in Milford at 10:00am on Friday, July 18, 2014. The family will greet friends on Friday from 9:00-9:45 am at the church. Duane, age 86, of Milford, passed away July 16, 2014 at the Milford Nursing Center. Duane was born on March 15, 1928, to Lottie (Jones) Taylor and Erle Taylor on their farm in Clay County, Iowa. In 1936, the young family moved to the Taylor family farm, established in 1901 by Duane's grandparents, south east of Milford. Duane was a talented musician. At age sixteen, he attended Okoboji Music Camp, owned and directed by Paul and Elizabeth MacCollin. Duane's talent and abilities earned him scholarships to Morningside College in both music and athletics (football, track and field). There he met the love of his life, Janice MacCollin, daughter of Paul and Elizabeth. They married on November 24, 1949. In 1950, due to the death of his father, Duane and Janice returned to the family farm to support his mother and siblings. In 1952, they welcomed their daughter, Karen, into their lives, followed in 1955 by the birth of their son, Doug. Duane was a devoted husband and father. Duane farmed and raised his beloved registered Jerseys until 1982 when he moved to Milford. Duane worked at Stylecraft Furniture factory from 1982 to 2003. Duane collected facts and imparted them to those he met. He was an avid bird enthusiast and could identify all local birds by both sight and call. He particularly enjoyed the great hunters - the eagles, osprey, and Cooper's hawks. He is preceded in death by his wife Janice (1927-1998) and his son Doug (1955-2010) and survived by his beloved daughter Karen, and sister Beth; as well as much extended family. In 2003 Duane partnered with Karen in establishing Siouxland Aquatics which in conjunction with the Sioux City Community School District brought swimming instruction to northeast Iowa. Siouxland Aquatics developed Big Splash in 2007 - a program opening the world of swimming to children with disabilities. This program was near and dear to Duane's heart. Memorials may be made to Big Splash at PO Box 2693 in Sioux City, IA 51106.