Richard Taylor

Richard “Dick” Taylor, 65, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born in Merrill on April 21, 1944 to Donald and Eileen (Weber) Taylor. He married Dee Carriker on January 30, 1965 in Bessmer, MI.

Dick graduated from Merrill Senior High School in 1962. He then attended Marquette University, graduating in 1967 with a BS in Business Administration. He returned to Merrill and became the sales manager at Merrill Manufacturing Corp. In 1982 he took over as president of Merrill Manufacturing Corp and in 2000 became president of Convenience Concepts Inc. in Elgin, IL, and continued serving in these capacities until his death. Dick has served as President of The Merrill Chamber of Commerce from 1976 – 1977 and President of The Merrill Rotary Club from 1983-1984. He served on The Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Board from 1985 to 1989 and The United Way Board for 27 years and was also a member of The Executive Committee (T.E.C). Dick was very instrumental in starting The Great Speakers Forum and Merrill Forward Together Board. He also served on the board of the Sunburst Youth Homes. He started S.O.A.R.P.O., an organization of resort and property owners in Canada. Dick was very involved in the A.A. program in Merrill, starting the Merrill Manufacturing Wednesday night meeting. Dick and Dee enjoyed spending time in Aruba and going to their cabin in Ontario. He will always be remembered as the “DoNut Man” at St. Mary’s A.O.D.A. center in Tomahawk and for his sense of humor, wisdom, knowledge and as a dear friend and mentor. He was especially a loving & caring Husband, Father and Grandpa.

Survivors include his wife, Dee Taylor of Merrill; 2 sons: Richard (Mary) Taylor Jr. of Rhinelander, and Patrick Taylor of Merrill; 1 daughter Cynthia (Gerald) Russell of Merrill; his mother, Eileen Taylor and his sister, Sandy Annis both of Merrill; seven grandchildren: Rebekah Lee, Richard “Ricky”, Ryan, Makayla, Anthony, Alexander and Christopher; 2 step-grandchildren: Jeremy and Andrea; 1 step-great-granddaughter: Faith; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and 1 nephew: Donnie Leopold.

Services will be held Monday, October 26, 2009, at 2:30 PM at St. John Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Szeto will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 4 – 8 PM at Waid Funeral Home and again on Monday from 1:30 until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to the charity of choice. Waid Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com .

Serenity Prayer

God Grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.