Michael Lynn Taylor, age 60, of Grayville, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana.

      He was born May 1, 1966, in Flora, the son of James B. and Rita A. (Yates) Taylor.  He was united in marriage to Nancy Sue (Brown) Reed on July 31, 2001, in Rinard, and together they shared 25 wedding anniversaries.

      Mike was a skilled mechanic who had worked for Doug Warren Racing, Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Princeton, Indiana, and Southwire in Flora.  He had a passion for racing, especially drag racing, and an engine he worked on himself helped set a world record in Chicago.

      Mike enjoyed being outdoors, whether bird hunting with his Grandpa Yates, hunting deer, coyote, or coons, or mowing the yard.  He was also content to sit outside and watch the cars pass through the neighborhood.

      Dogs held a special place in Mike’s heart, and he raised many over the years, including his bird dog, Jack.  At home, he liked to settle into his recliner and watch television with his dog, Baxter, keeping him company.

      He is survived by his wife: Nancy Taylor of Grayville; mother: Rita Taylor of Rinard; stepchildren: Bill (Jill) Reed of Cisne and Audrey (Dustin) Weasel of Cisne; 6 step-grandchildren; a sister: Barbara (Bruce) Brown of Flora; sisters-in-law: Kara Taylor of Cisne and Sandra (Mart) Haycock of Flora; brother-in-law: David Brown (Bonnie Klein) of Keller, Texas; several nieces and nephews; special friend: Brittany Tolliver of Rinard; and his beloved dog, Baxter.

      He was preceded in passing by his father: Jim Taylor; a brother: David Lee Taylor; his paternal grandparents: Donald and Mary (Bowles) Taylor; maternal grandparents: Fred and Irene Yates; an uncle: Bill Taylor; sister-in-law: Connie Brown; brother-in-law: Archie (Leah) Brown; and his parents-in-law: Bill and Elaine (Johnson) Brown.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with Jim Earleywine officiating.  Interment will follow in Bunker Cemetery, Rinard.  A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.  The family requests casual dress.  Memorial donations are suggested to the American Heart Association or Fur a Good Paws, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com