Beverly Taylor

Beverly Joan Taylor, age 72, of New Philadelphia, died Tuesday, January 15, 2019, in University Hospitals at Cleveland following a brief illness.

Born in Akron General Hospital on August 21, 1946, Bev was a daughter of the late Laverne and Nellie (Palmer) Meekins and was a graduate of Garfield High School in Akron.

Bev was a longtime, active, member of Calvary Baptist Church in New Philadelphia. She was a devoted supporter of missionaries and military chaplains, often bringing them into the fold as if they were her own family. Bev was an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and worked for a period of time at Perry’s Glow Putt which was located in New Towne Mall. Most of all, she deeply adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Rex “Rick” Taylor whom she married on August 4, 1984, three daughters, Kimberly Callen, Lori (Richard) Rotkoski all of New Philadelphia, and Holli (Edward) Verhovec of Uhrichsville, a step-son, Craig (Holly) Taylor of Massillon; a sister, Lois (Collin) Noirot of Uniontown; a foster brother, John McClelland of South Carolina; and a son-in-law, Ronald Runyon, Sr. of Strasburg.

Completing the family are her grandchildren, Ronald (Amanda) Runyon, Paul (Desi) Runyon, Anthony Callen, Scott (Samantha) Callen, Marsi Diodati, Kyle Diodati, Craig Diodati, Lance Verhovec, Kaleb Verhovec, Star Dimitroff, Chris Norman, McKenzie Taylor, Alexandra Taylor, and Isbelle Taylor; and her great grandchildren, Nellie Diodati, Kylee Diodati, Kinzlie Callen, Dameon Callen, Ellee Callen and Alixander King.

In addition to her parents, Bev was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Robert Meekins and a grandson, Dusty Runyon.

The family will greet guests on Friday, January 18, 2019, from 4-7 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Missionary Gary Forney will lead a service celebrating Bev’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Saturday January 19, 2019, at 10 AM. Burial will follow in the Dover Burial Park. A meal and fellowship will be shared in the Hospitality Room of the Geib Funeral Center at Dover following burial.