Martha S. Taylor's Obituary
Decatur-Martha S. Taylor nee’ Caulkins, born August 25, 1923 in Lincoln, NE to Henrietta Stiefel Simon and Charles B. Simon, departed this earth March 1, 2012.
Mrs. Taylor graduated from Lincoln High School and attended Monticello College in Godfrey, IL.
Mrs. Taylor was married to Daniel P. Caulkins III from 1946 to 1959. In Decatur on July 4, 1962, she married Stanley “Pete” Taylor. Their blended family of eight children was in attendance at the Congregational Church. In August of 1964, their daughter Molly Sarah Taylor (Mulligan) was born.
Mrs. Taylor was a member of the first Women’s Auxiliary at Decatur Memorial Hospital where she volunteered for several years. She was the first Biofeedback trainer at DMH for over 13 years after studying at the Menninger Foundation. She taught traditional Hatha Yoga at the YMCA as well as various places in the community for 31 years, having attended seminars and visited ashrams with noted teachers of yoga. In 1999, when a foundation was formed to build a new Macon County animal shelter, she was appointed to and served on the board for 3 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were enthusiastic and successful owners of standardbred race horses for many years.
Mrs. Taylor was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband and children: Dan Caulkins (Jo) of Decatur, Charles Caulkins of Ft. Lauderdale, Zack Caulkins (Rene) of Wayne, IL, Clay Caulkins (Kim) of Chicago, Molly Mulligan (Tim) of Monroe, WA, She is “Mom” to Julie Barry (Pat) of Woodinville, WA, Bill Taylor (Patti) of Oregon City, OR, David Taylor (Laura) of Hilo, HI, and Tom Taylor (Gale) of Medical Lake, WA. She has 20 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She also leaves many, many loving and supportive friends.
At Mrs. Taylor’s request, following cremation, a private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Macon County Animal control and Care Foundation, PO Box 663, Decatur 62525, or the Scovill Zoo Decatur Park Foundation.
The family would like to thank Dr. James Wade and the staff at Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois. Your love and attention and caring treatment gave our Mom many “bonus” months to enjoy life and her family.
The family of Martha S. Taylor is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home and Crematory, 2901 N. Oakland Avenue, Decatur. View the online obituary and send condolences to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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