MARCELLA A. (TRONE) SOWERS TAYLOR

Marcella Taylor

Marcella A. Taylor, 85, of Rochester, Minn., formerly of Rushville, died at 6:55 a.m. Dec. 29, 2013, at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester.

She was born Feb. 24, 1928, in Browning Township, Schuyler County, a daughter of Carl A. and Bertha A. Kinnear Trone. She married Newton Ray Sowers on June 13, 1948, near Browning. He died May 18, 1954. She later married David L. Taylor on Nov. 22, 1958, in Manito. He survives.

Also surviving are five children: Marsha (and Warren) Korkala of Duluth, Minn., Mary Ann (and John) Cassel of Frisco, Texas, Kevin (and Christie) Taylor of Oglesby, Lynne (and Glenn) Gaunt of Rochester, Minn., and Jill (and Randy) Anderson of Longmont, Colo.; one brother, Glen (and Vivian) Trone of Walnut; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Carl Jr., Virgil, Donald and Howard Trone; and six sisters, Nancy Trone, Clarice Dickerson, Mary Stambaugh, Madeline Dunlap, Lois Jones and Jean Sieber.

She was a 1971 graduate of Aurora University with a bachelors degree in education. She worked as a school teacher for 32 years, beginning at Ridgeville School, then later in Delavan and Aurora public school districts. In retirement, she continued teaching by tutoring immigrants seeking citizenship.

She provided care through the Hospice program, and along with her husband, worked for the Lutheran mission group Laborers for Christ.

She was of Christian faith. She was active with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, where she served as an officer and attended conventions. She also was involved with youth programs at church.

Services were held Friday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville with Pastor Michael Burdick officiating. Burial was in Palm Cemetery west of Rushville.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Quincy Area Branch.

Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 1/8/2014