Taylor, Charlie

Charlie Taylor, 74, of Dyersville, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at home surrounded by his family. Friends and relatives of Charlie may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville and after 11:30 a.m. Saturday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville.

Charlie was born July 30, 1939, in Holy Cross, Iowa, the son of Francis and Dorothy (Rae). On Aug. 25, 1965, Charlie was united in marriage to Lois Recker at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville.

Charlie attended Loras College and graduated from Iowa State University 1967 with a degree in Construction Technology. Charlie started Taylor Construction in 1972 and purchased his first dozer and went to work for Holland Brothers Construction Co. as a subcontractor on Highway 52 roadway in Millville, Iowa. His next opportunity was in farm drainage tiling, being known as “Taylor the Tiler.” Charlie had aspired to build bridges so in 1979, he built his first bridge in Dyersville. That project started the company's growth to building bridges throughout Iowa. His greatest joy was when his daughters joined the business.

Left to cherish Charlie's memory are his wife, Lois of Dyersville; two daughters, Krista (Ben) Thier and Tina (David) Meyer, both of Dyersville; grandchildren, Brent, Olivia and Thomas Their and Haley, Victor and Valery Meyer; siblings, Ray (Joan) Taylor, Mary (Wayne) Kahle, Helen (Scotty) Thomas, Jane (Kenny) Rausch, John (Barb) Taylor, Bridget (Bob) Kluesner, Pat (Mike) Thies, Jim Taylor and Paul (Sue) Taylor; and sisters-in-law, Mary Taylor and Karol Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his parent and brothers, Frank and Joe Taylor.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 19, 2013.