Elton Lars Taylor

Elton Lars Taylor, 92, joined his childhood sweetheart and eternal companion, Marella, on May 22, 2018. He was born on October 5, 1925 in Salina, Utah to Owen Lars and Blanche Eureka Christopherson Taylor. He was the oldest of six children. Elton grew up in Salina. Upon graduating from High School in 1943 he enlisted in the Marines. He served in the Pacific Theater with the 1st Marine Division in World War II. He was assigned to ‘A’ company of the 1st Division. They were known as “The Old Breed”. He was discharged in March 1946. He married his sweetheart, Marella Peterson, on April 13, 1946. Elton tried to re-enlist in the Marines but they told him if they wanted him to have a wife, they would “issue” him one so he joined the army. Elton was proud to be an American and serve his Country. He was honorably discharged in 1967. His medals included the Bronze Star. After Returning to Salina, he pursued his education. He Graduated from SUU with a degree in Special Education and a Masters in Elementary Education from USU. He taught school in Fillmore and Salina, retiring May 1989. He knew how to fix everything and loved to stay busy. He and Marella remodeled their 100 year old home in Salina and built a cabin at Accord Lake. They were instrumental in restoring Miss Mary’s Museum and getting it placed on the Utah Historical Register. He restored a 1965 Dodge dump truck by taking automotive and auto body classes at Richfield’s Sevier Valley Tech at the age of 80. Elton is survived by his children: Michael (Kathleen) Taylor of Roy; Robert (Nancy) Taylor of Springville; Brenda (Craig) Chidester of Salina; 14 grandchildren; 32 great grand-children; 8 great-great grandchildren. Siblings: Edgar (Carrie) Taylor of Nephi, Don (Dorte) Taylor of Kanab, AnaRay Halverson of Roy, Donna (Ted) Norton of Washington. He was preceded in death by wife Marella, daughter Connie Lynn Taylor, brother and sister-in law, Arland and Laurel Taylor, parents Owen and Blanche Taylor. Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday June 2, 2018, in the Salina Creek Ward Chapel, 85 South 100 East Salina, Utah. Friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM or on Saturday morning from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 150 East Main in Salina, Utah. Burial with military rights accorded by the Utah Honor guard and the Salina American Legion Post #36 will be in the Salina Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina, Utah. The family wishes to express their sincere Thanks to the Bennion Veteran’s Center, Payson, Utah for their extraordinary care they provided to Elton.