Claude S. Taylor, 88, of Avondale, Arizona and formerly of the Edgerton area, passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2021 in Avondale.   He was born on March 12, 1932 to Elmer and Fannie (Williams) Taylor. Claude now joins his wife of  61 years, Margaret in Heaven, where they are rejoicing together.

Claude served in the United States Army from 1949-1952 as a Private First Class.  He retired from Norfolk & Southern Railroad after many years of service, in 1991.  In his retirement years he enjoyed spring baseball, golfing, NASCAR races with his son Dave, and blue grass music.  His nickname was Cherokee to his family and friends.  The family enjoyed his racing hobby car #6 at Bryan Raceway, Angola and Avilla Raceway.

Claude is survived by five children, Eddie H. Krill of Edgerton, Debra (Greg) Mahan of West Unity, Sandy (Jeff) Conley of Peoria, Arizona, Vickie (Jerry) Taylor of Goodyear, Arizona and Dave (June) Taylor of Hicksville; five grandchildren, five great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law Barbara Donze and Betty (Ed) Lorentz of Bryan and Dorothy (Bob) Zizelman of West Unity; and one brother-in-law Jerry Mapes of Napoleon, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margaret on March 14, 2017, brother Richard and sister Shelby Mapes.

A time to receive friends will be on Monday, April 5th from 5-8pm at the Thompson Funeral Home on Main Street in Montpelier.  Services will be on Tuesday, April 6th at 11am at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Shiffler Cemetery in rural Bryan with Military graveside rites provided by the West Unity American Legion.  Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.