Colleen Mae Taylor

Colleen Mae Taylor, 85, of Bolivar, previously of Zoar, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 7, 2013 in Hennis Care Centre at Dover. Born May 3, 1927 in Canton she was the first of four children born to the late Fred and Ethel Taylor.

She was a 1945 graduate of Lincoln High School at Canton. She found her two callings in serving the Lord and her love of books. She began teaching Sunday School at the old Canton Baptist Temple and upon moving to Bolivar in the mid 1970's she taught at Faith Baptist Church for another 25 years. A woman of great character and faith, she touched the live of many.

Colleen worked at the News Depot in Canton for 32 years. In 1980, at the encouragement of her family, she opened her own bookstore, Books-N-Things in Zoar, where she soon became a goodwill ambassador for the village and its history. With the help of her two sisters, and later her nephew, Colleen spread the gospel of good books to thousands of visitors. Though the three sisters retired in 2000, Colleen's 52 years in her beloved book business is carried to the next generation by her nephew who upholds her values and legacy with the bookstore now located in downtown New Philadelphia.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved two sisters Barbara Croto and Suzan Clouston and her nephew Joe Croto.

She is survived by her niece Jan Montgomery of Wayanesburg and her two children Josh and Kasey Montgomery, her nephew David Croto of New Philadelphia and his children Kim Fox of East Sparta, Carrie Locker of Sugarcreek, Courtney, Shelby, Joe, David Jr., Jamie and Katherene Croto and their mother Machelle Croto of New Philadelphia, her nephew Russ Clouston of Naples, FL and niece Cathy Clouston of Waynesburg.

A memorial service to celebrate Colleen's life will be held Thursday January 17, 2013 at 7:00 PM in the Faith Baptist Church at Bolivar. All are invited to attend and share in the memories of this beloved woman, whose strength of character and faith were the hallmarks of her life and legacy to her family and many friends. The Lebold-Smith Funeral Home in Bolivar is handling the arrangements. For those unable to attend please visit the funeral homes web site to share a memory and sign the guest register.

Lebold-Smith
330-874-3113
www.smithfuneral.com