Richard "Dick" Taylor, 65, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

He was born April 21, 1944, in Merrill to Donald and Eileen (Weber) Taylor. He married Dee Carriker on Jan. 30, 1965, in Bessmer, Mich.

Dick graduated from Merrill Senior High School in 1962. He then attended Marquette University, graduating in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He returned to Merrill and became the sales manager at Merrill Manufacturing Corp. In 1982 he took over as president of Merrill Manufacturing Corp. and in 2000 became president of Convenience Concepts Inc. in Elgin, Ill., and continued serving in these capacities until his death.

Dick served as president of the Merrill Chamber of Commerce from 1976 - 1977, and president of the Merrill Rotary Club from 1983-1984. He served on the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Board from 1985 to 1989 and the United Way Board for 27 years. He was also a member of The Executive Committee (T.E.C.). Dick was very instrumental in starting The Great Speakers Forum and Merrill Forward Together Board. He also served on the board of the Sunburst Youth Homes. He started S.O.A.R.P.O., an organization of resort and property owners in Canada. Dick was very involved in the A.A. program in Merrill, starting the Merrill Manufacturing Wednesday night meeting. Dick and Dee enjoyed spending time in Aruba and going to their cabin in Ontario. He will always be remembered as the "DoNut Man" at St. Mary's A.O.D.A. center in Tomahawk, and for his sense of humor, wisdom, knowledge and as a dear friend and mentor. He was especially a loving and caring husband, father and grandpa.

Survivors include his wife, Dee Taylor of Merrill; two sons, Richard (Mary) Taylor Jr. of Rhinelander and Patrick Taylor of Merrill; one daughter, Cynthia (Gerald) Russell of Merrill; his mother, Eileen Taylor, Merrill; his sister, Sandy Annis, Merrill; seven grandchildren, Rebekah Lee, Richard "Ricky," Ryan, Makayla, Anthony, Alexander and Christopher; two stepgrandchildren, Jeremy and Andrea; one stepgreat-granddaughter, Faith; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and one nephew, Donnie Leopold.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. David Szeto will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at Waid Funeral Home, Merrill, and again from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to the charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me
the serenity

To accept the things
I cannot change,

The courage to change
the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.