John Richard "Rich" Taylor, 83, of Collinsville, Ill., born July 2, 1932, in Pinckneyville, Ill., died Tuesday Jan. 19, 2016, at Edwardsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Edwardsville, Ill.

Rich attended school in Pinckneyville Ill., where he was active in a variety of sports. He was a heavy equipment operator and retired from local 520 International Union of Operating Engineers where he worked for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, attending flea markets and was a long time Collinsville, Ill., resident.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hosea and Wilma, nee Gruber, Taylor; a brother, Vernon; sisters, Peggy, Marilyn, Norma, Sylvia and Betty; infant daughters, Richie Diane and Cindy Rose; a daughter, Kathi Taylor Jeckstadt; and a grandson, Jason Jeckstadt.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Rose Marie, nee Griffith, Taylor, formerly of Willisville Ill.; a son, John R. (Sally) Taylor Jr., of Collinsville, Ill.; a son-in-law, Richard Jeckstadt of Caseyville, Ill.; grandsons, John R. (Noel) Taylor III of Granite City, Ill., and Todd (Jenn) Jeckstadt of O'Fallon, Mo., and four great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Assn.

Visitation: Friends may call from 1 p.m. until time of service Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at Herr Funeral Home, Caseyville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday Jan. 21, 2016, at Herr Funeral Home, Caseyville, Ill. Burial will be in St. John cemetery, Collinsville, Ill.