Cleo "Curly" V. Taylor

August 20, 1921 - October 24, 2018

CLEO V. (CURLY) TAYLOR NEW HARMONY, INDIANA Curly Taylor, 97, formerly of New Harmony, Indiana, born August 20, 1921 to Riley and Laura Taylor in Franklin County, Illinois, passed away peacefully, October 24, 2018 at the home of his step son in Miami, Florida. Curly was a WW II veteran, serving in Germany and receiving the bronze star and Purple Heart among other medals. Despite being a disabled, combat wounded WW II veteran, Curly was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, serving as a small arms instructor at Redstone Arsenal in Maryland. He was an active member of the Disabled American Veterans of Live Oak, Florida, volunteering many hours at the Veterans Hospital in Lake City, Florida. Using the G.I. Bill, Curly completed his education and taught math for a few years at Griffin High School. A lifelong love of horses led him to build and open an arena and Western store located between New Harmony and Mt. Vernon, Indiana. After he and Fern married they bought a farm in Live Oak, Florida where they raised, trained and raced thoroughbred horses. The farm became a summer gathering place for the family and many happy hours were spent there, swimming in the pond and giving city grandkids a taste of country life. After Fern’s death in 2007, Curly has lived with his stepson and daughter-in-law Brenda Taylor. Surviving are his three step children: Michael Taylor (Brenda) of Miami, Florida, Shari Rueger (Edward) of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee and Cynthia Lyke of Aurora, Colorado; six grandchildren: Jeff Rueger, Rick Rueger, Ryan Lyke, Kara Peters, Bryce Taylor and Kevin Taylor; two loving care-givers: Grace and Lucia; a sister: Fern Cox of New Harmony, Indiana. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife of 33 years: Fern Williams Taylor; brother: Leonard Taylor and grandson: Jon Rueger. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the Maple Hill Cemetery in New Harmony, Indiana.