Juanita M. Taylor Obituary (1939

Juanita Marie (Van Ostrand) Taylor, age 86, of Pontiac, IL, passed away at 10:33 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, IL, with her loving Marisol by her side. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Pontiac, located at 209 W. Livingston Street, Pontiac, IL, 61764. Pastor JD Buchenau will be presiding over her service at the church. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the time of her service, starting at 10 a.m. also at the church. Burial will follow to Henry Cemetery, in Henry, IL. Memorials in Juanita’s memory may be made to the Livingston County Humane Society. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, has been entrusted with her arrangements. Juanita was born on December 20, 1939, in Saratoga, IL, to Walter Lincoln Van Ostrand and Arletta Mae (Rickey) Van Ostrand. She married the love of her life, Orville K. Taylor on November 27, 1981, in Pontiac, IL. He preceded her in death on January 2, 2000. She is survived by her special friend, caretaker, and “adopted granddaughter”, Marisol Starke of Pontiac, IL; one sister: Roberta Snell of Springfield, IL; one niece: Terri Snell of Chicago, IL; and one nephew: Christopher Snell of Durham, NC. She is also survived by her beloved cat, named Tiny. She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother: Wayne Van Ostrand, and one sister: Lila Mae Holler. Juanita was a beloved piano teacher for many years at Esmen School. She also coached cheerleading in Pontiac, IL, for many years. She was a loyal and faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pontiac, IL. Juanita enjoyed playing the piano and spending time with her cat. She has a special talent making ceramics, doing macrame, and teaching others how to play the piano. She was loved by so many for her kindness, thoughtfulness, and her lovingness towards others and animals. Juanita made countless unforgettable memories throughout her life that will now forever be cherished and carried on by all of those who loved her. She truly was such a great teacher and best friend and will be missed deeply. This obituary may be viewed, and a guestbook signed at www.duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.