James LeRoy "Jim" Taylor, 68 of Effingham, formerly of Altamont, passed away at 2:03 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at HSHS St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

A funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorial donations may be made to the donor's choice.

Jim was born September 20, 1948 in Effingham, the son of LeRoy and Eileen (Prevo) Taylor. He served with the United States Marine Corp. during the Vietnam War. James married Melody A. Ping and she survives. Jim was a lifelong member of the Altamont VFW, member of the Effingham American Legion Post 120 and a lifelong member of the Effingham DAV Chapter 7. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs. Jim always had candy for his grandkids; jelly beans were their favorite. Everyday, he enjoyed watching wrestling and eating popcorn. Jim was an avid storyteller at Ping's Tavern in Teutopolis.

James is survived by his wife, Melody of Effingham; son, Derek (Lucy) of Ft. Meade, MD; three daughters, Amanda (Cori) Thomas of Effingham, Sara (Erik) Hinderliter of Miami, FL and Erica Taylor of Champaign; honorary daughter, Angie (Henry) Brylowski of Whiteland, IN; two sisters, Dianna (Tony) Siemer of Effingham and Jean (Ed) Collins of Collinsville; grandchildren; Taylor and Titan Traster, Cooper Thomas, Wyatt and Lylah Hinderliter and Gabby, Leon and Roman Taylor; best "furry friend", his St. Bernard, Bourbon Street Taylor; honorary grandchildren, Noelle, Makayla, Isabella, Oliver and Alydia.

James was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, George and Jon.