Eldon "Dean" Taylor was born on November 22, 1941 in Tabor, IA; the son of Eldon Avery and Ruth Jane (Rine) Taylor. Dean entered into eternal peace on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.
When Dean was still an infant the family moved from Tabor to Shenandoah. In 1954 the family moved to Omaha where he attended school and graduated from North High School.

On May 20, 1959 Dean enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served his country with pride in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on January 14, 1974. Following his discharge from the service, he moved to Abilene, Texas from 1981 to 1990, then to Council Bluffs, Iowa and finally returned back home to Shenandoah in 1995.

On June 17, 1995 Dean was united in marriage to Mary "Joan" Hastie. The couple attended the First Christian Church where they were very active members. Some of Dean's interests included flying remote control planes, watching football, decorating his lawn, traveling and camping. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post #88 in Shenandoah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Benjamin Shipers, stepdaughter Sherry Burchett, stepson Larry Dean Howard and in-laws Ellis and Mary Jane Hastie.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife Joan of Shenandoah; children Herbert Leonard Taylor and wife Lisa of Shenandoah, Patricia Taylor and husband Mike of Oxmard, CA, Deanne Louise Taylor of Omaha, NE, Terry Lee Taylor of Council Bluffs, IA and Christopher Lawrence Taylor of Council Bluffs, IA; stepsons Ellis Dean Howard and wife Cindy of Essex, IA and Christopher Dean Howard and wife Brenda of Gothenberg, NE; 8 grandchildren; and a sister Marjorie Peterson and husband Duane of Sioux City, NE.

Funeral services were held onTuesday, November 25, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Rev. Karen Bash. Ushers were Joe Denhart and Don Peterson. Attending the memory register were Julie Denhart and Mary Putnam. Organist was Pat Larson. Songs of comfort were as follows: Tom Beavers sang "The Old Rugged Cross", Dr. Douglas Weddle sang "The Lord's Prayer" and the First Christian Choir sang "Sweet River of Mercy". Casket bearers were Ernie Aust, Tom Henderson, Doug McGinnis, Dale Jones, Marvin Tillman, Chris Collins, Ray Harris and Jim Nye. Military honors were accorded by the United States Marine Corps and the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah. Memorials are being directed to the family.