Forrest E. Taylor, 81, passed away Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at Brendan House in Kalispell. He was born Dec. 2, 1927, in Kalispell, the son of Jack and Dorothy (Cornell) Taylor.

He attended Deer Park School, completing the eighth grade.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, visiting or anything mechanical and loved tools. He worked as a mechanic and carpenter. He built his own home doing everything from the electrical and masonry to welding wrought iron.

He married Berylene G. Wagner on Aug. 18, 1958, in Pinehurst, Idaho.

He and Berylene lived in the Deer Park area for many years. He worked for Gary Motors (Ford Co.) and later worked for McElroy and Wilken, from which he retired after many years of service.

He enjoyed tinkering with any tools or any mechanical pieces. He also loved to drive old roads, and gathering firewood were some of the things he enjoyed. He loved to visit with co-workers and neighbors alike — he never met a stranger. He was a real prankster.

He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union and First Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Berylene (Wagner) Taylor; parents, Jack and Dot Taylor; and two brothers, Jack and Stanley Taylor.

He is survived by his daughter, Rita Wagenaar and husband, Paul, of Hardin; granddaughter, Maggie and husband, K.C., of Okinawa, Japan; great-granddaughter, Kai; two stepgranddaughters, Virginia Abergast and husband, Jason, of Huntley, and Imy Burcham and husband, Ed, of Billings, and their families; brother, Paul Taylor, of California; sister-in-law, Rosanne Taylor, of Kalispell; brother-in-law, Beryl "Sonny" Wagner and wife, Janie, of Columbia Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for Forrest will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Fairview Cemetery on Middle Road east of Kalispell, with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Forrest's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Forrest's guest book.