Marilyn Marguerite Taylor

Marilyn Marguerite (Metzger) Taylor, 102, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2025.

Born into military life, Marilyn was the daughter of Colonel Edward and Hazel Smith Metzger. She was born on November 28, 1922, at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, where her father was stationed.

As an Army family, the Metzgers moved frequently, living in various places such as Fort Ethan Allen in Vermont, Fort Bliss in Texas, Fort Knox in Kentucky, Fort Des Moines in Iowa, Camp Jackson in South Carolina, and Fort Benning in Georgia, among many others.

When the United States entered World War II, Marilyn's father was sent to Europe. Marilyn, eager to contribute to the war effort, enlisted in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), the women's branch of the U.S. Navy. She was assigned as an aerial gunnery instructor, training turret gunners and remained immensely proud of her service to her country throughout her life.

Marilyn married Robert “Bobby” Taylor, a sailor who had returned to the United States after his Navy aircraft carrier was attacked and sank in the battle of Santa Cruz. Bobby served for three years at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, where his duties included supervising a certain WAVES recruit—Marilyn. Just three months after they met, the couple married at Christ Episcopal Church in Pensacola.

After the war, Bob and Marilyn personally built their first house in Smyrna, Georgia, before relocating to Marietta, Ohio, where they raised their four children. During her time in Marietta, she was a leader in the local PTA as well as the various activities in which her children were involved. In their last home Bob and Marilyn lived with their four children in a Reno farmhouse on ten acres with a garden, forest, and bordered behind by a babbling brook. For the past 23 years, Marilyn lived with her son, Dean, in Wisconsin, South Carolina, and finally, Johnston, Iowa.

She is survived by her children, Marguerite Kessler (Ralph), Robert Taylor(Jane), Peter Taylor and Dean Taylor( Faith) as well as grandchildren Christa, Alissa (predeceased) , Greta, Petra, Benjamin, Rebecca, Jacob, Lynnea, Leighton, Eddy, Elena, and Luke and 22 great grandchildren.

Her legacy includes enduring love for her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, family, church, and many friends. A favorite passage was Psalm 16 which includes the following from verses 8 &11:

I have set the Lord always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved …

Thou will show me the path of life:

In Thy presence is fullness of joy;

At Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore

A Celebration of Life Service with military rites will be held on Saturday April 19, 2025 10:30am at Roberts Funeral Home -East Lawn Chapel in Marietta Ohio. Online tributes may be made at https://www.robertsfuneralhome.com/

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you contribute to Mill Pond Senior Living Community through Presbyterian Homes & Services. https://preshomes.org/give/#give-once