Linda Lou (Lyon) Taylor

Linda Lou Taylor, age 81, of Harrisburg, passed away at 9:16 PM, Thursday, May 18, 2023 at her residence at Villas of Holly Brook surrounded by her family.

     Linda was born on January 11, 1942 to the late Gene Lyon and Sarilda “Tillee” “TT” (Mizell) Pelhank.  She married Michael Taylor on November 22, 1986 and he passed away on September 19, 1996.  Linda received her Master’s Degree in Speech Communications from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  She was a professor of speech communications at Eastern Illinois University and also taught a Saturday morning class at Rend Lake College.  Linda was a member of the First Church of God and was active in the Women of the First Church of God.  She loved to read, she had many, many books in her collection.  Linda enjoyed watching the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four and was an avid Michigan State fan. 

     Linda is survived by her son, Kenneth Jenkins and wife Terri of Harrisburg; grandson, Garrett Jenkins of Chesterfield, Missouri; twin brother, Larry Lyon of East Lansing, Michigan; brother, Dee Pelhank and wife Mary Jane of Harrisburg; brother, Lee Pelhank and wife Martha of Marion; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins.

     In addition to her parents and husband Michael, Linda was preceded in death by her brother, Gene Lyon and wife Marianne; sister, Kay McCarty and husband Don; and grandmother, Zeta Mizell.

     Memorial services for Linda Lou Taylor will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Sunset Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda Lou (Lyon) Taylor, please visit our floral store.