Taft Hughes

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Taft Hughes, 62, of Winter Haven, Fla., formerly of Sterling, died Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at his home. He was a roofer.

Mr. Hughes was born Sept. 23, 1947, in Beans Creek, Mitchell County, N.C., the son of Jason and Josie (Buchanan) Hughes. He served in the Army as an indirect fireman staff sergeant (mortars). He deployed with the 101st Infantry Division (Airmobile) from 1969 to 1970 to the A-Shau valley of Vietnam, and was awarded the Soldier’s Medal; Bronze Star with “V” Device; and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. After his overseas service, he drilled with the 1644th Transportation Company in Rock Falls, Illinois National Guard. He married Cynthia Rose (Farrell) Hughes on Sept. 21, 1972, in Ottawa.

Survivors include two sons, Zachary Buchanan (Christine Marie Reilly) Hughes of Aurora, Colo., and Joshua Jacob (Brenda Michelle Dodd) Hughes of Houston; a daughter, Crystal Amber (Kelly Brice) Collinson, of Rock Falls; five sisters, Shirley Schlueter of Florida, Patricia Mills of Ottawa, Betty Jo Clayton of Sterling, Marjorie June Gaughan of Florida, and Gladys Horvat of Joliet; and three grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Charles Daniel Hughes of Dayton and Harvey Hughes of Ottawa.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Harvest Time Bible Church, Rock Falls, with Pastor Dalmus Meeks officiating. A dinner will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Candlelight Inn, Sterling. Arrangements were completed by Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family.