Donald Francis Taylor, lifetime fireman, engineer

Donald Francis Taylor, 89, of Milton, formerly of West Grove, Pa., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, at Wilmington Hospital with family by his side.

He was the husband of Mary Jane Woodward Taylor with whom he shared 25 years of marriage. 

He was born in West Grove, Pa., in 1934, son of the late David Kinney and Virginia Whiteman Taylor.

Don was a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he received his engineering degree. He was employed as an engineer for DuDont and Hewlett-Packard. Don was also a township engineer and building inspector for many local townships.

He was a member and lay leader of Zoar United Methodist Church, Millsboro. He was also a member of Fort Miles Historical Association in Delaware and a lifetime member of West Grove Fire Company.

Don was an antique car enthusiast, and a member of the Historical and Vintage Car Club of Delaware and the H.H. Franklin Car Club of America. He enjoyed flying his powered parachute and also enjoyed motorcycles, but his family was what mattered most to him.

He is survived by his wife; 11 children, Mary Anne Steel (Richard) of New London, Donald T. Taylor (Marlene) of Cochranville, Joseph E. Taylor (Brenda) of Hawkins, Texas, J. Francis Taylor (Michele) of Lincoln University, Kathy Pendleton (Joe) of Souderton, Ruth Aguiar (Ron) of West Grove, Marie Zedalis (John) of Lansford, Daniel E. Taylor (Krista) of New London, Anna Beauchamp (Mike) of Havre de Grace, Md., Thomas P. Taylor (Becky) of Cochranville and Jeanie Mattson (Richie) of West Grove; 29 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Kavanagh Taylor; two children, Patty Jo Lawless and Mike Taylor; two grandsons, Matthew Zedalis and James Lawless, two great-grandchildren, Bryson Jones and Taylor Jones; and four siblings, Elizabeth, Dora, David and Jimmy.

Family and friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at Edward L. Collins Jr. Funeral Home Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, Pa., with a funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. 

A memorial service is being planned at Zoar United Methodist Church in Millsboro for a later date. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to West Grove Fire Company, wgfc.org; or Zoar United Methodist Church, c/o Carisa Daisey, 24463 Gravel Hill Road, Millsboro, DE 19966. 

Arrangements by Edward L. Collins Jr. Funeral Home Inc. 

Online condolences may be made at elcollinsfuneralhome.com.