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Mervin Etoy Taylor Sr., 87, a resident of Bogalusa, passed away on Feb. 20, 2020, at Resthaven Living Center in Bogalusa.

Mervin was born in Bogalusa on Jan. 19, 1933. He was employed at the Paper Mill for over 40 years and spent the majority of his career on the paper machine as Machine Tender #5. He also spent over 30 years in the Louisiana National Guard 205th and retired as a Staff Sargent E6. He went on deployments in locations such as Buras, after Hurricane Beulah; to New Orleans during the police strike; Kenner during the Kenner plane crash; and Panama. He was a former member of American Legion Post #24 and the 40 & 8.

He is survived by his son, Mervin “Toye” E. Taylor Jr. and wife Susan; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a very special friend, Peggy Crain.

Mervin is preceded in death by his father, Henry Taylor, and his mother and stepfather, Henry and Polly Hunt O’Brien; his wife, Deborah Ann Trasher Taylor; a son, Steven Charles Taylor; a brother, Corbett Leroy Taylor; and his grandson, Michael Kyle Taylor.

A graveside service was held on Sunday, Feb. 23, at Hunt Jenkins Cemetery at 2 p.m. Pallbearers were Larry Hunt, Rick Hunt, Chris Taylor, Rick Corsetti, Roy Wells and Doug Jones. Honorary pallbearers were Jewel Rogers, J.V. Giacone and Angelo Pepe.

The Rev. Keith Sheridan officiated and military graveside rites were conducted by American Legion Post #24.