Joseph Taylor

CHAMPION - Joseph (Szabo) Taylor, 91, of Champion passed away at 5:00 p.m. on Friday July 17, 2015 at his home with his loving family at his side. Joe was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania on August 20, 1923 the youngest of four sons of Hungarian immigrants Alexander and Rosalie (Nagy) Szabo. The family later moved to the tight knit neighborhood on McKees Lane in Niles, Ohio. Here, Joe's father, and later Joe, worked at Mahoning Valley Steel Company. It was in this neighborhood of company owned row houses that the family forged many life long friendships, and Joe met the young neighborhood girl who would years later become his wife of almost 63 years, Janet Ruth Hughes. Joe proudly served his company in the United States Army during World War II serving with Company M, 175th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division as a machine gunner. On August 29, 1944 during heavy fighting to secure the French port city of Brest, Joe was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, WW II Victory Medal, European African Middle East Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war, Joe returned to McKees Lane and Mahoning Valley Steel Company. After a few years the neighborhood girl, Janet, now a grown woman, caught his eye and on November 15, 1952 they were wed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Niles. Together the raised six daughters. Joe retired from the former Mahoning Valley Steel Company which had been bought out by Jones and Laughlin Steel after 36 years of service due to the plant closing. He worked another six years at the former Charles E. Kline Company. Joe had a wide range of interests and talents. He loved the outdoors and had been an avid fur trapper for over 60 years. He was a proud member of the National Rifle Association. During the warm weather he was always busy in his garden, orchard or working on his lawn and landscaping. During the colder weather he would be busy running his trap lines, remodeling something in the house, usually around the holidays, much to his wife's dismay or woodworking in his work shop. He loved reading, especially anything to do with science. Joe also loved sports and was a long time Pittsburgh Steeler and Notre Dame Fan. Joe truly was a product of "The Greatest Generation." He is survived by his wife Janet Ruth (Hughes) Taylor; six daughters, Nancy (Steve) Rakich of Niles, Mary Diceglie of Cortland, Kathleen (Don) Walsh of Niles, Carol (Steve) Kundel of Howland, Susan (Bob) Arrowood of McDonald, Karen Taylor and Mike Burgermyer of Champion; nine grandchildren, Jim, Michael, Al Jr., Joey, Bruce, Nicole, Andrea, Bobby, Alyssa; nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three older brother, Louis, Douglas and Nicholas Taylor and a granddaughter, Jessica Diceglie. Calling hours will be Monday, July 20, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home, Niles. The funeral will be Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Kerr Cemetery with Military Honors. The family acknowledges and thanks MVI Hospice for their care and compassion.

Visitation

JUL 20. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT)

Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home 126 West Park Avenue Niles, OH 44446

Funeral

JUL 21. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home 126 West Park Avenue Niles, OH 44446