John R. Kaylor

John R. Kaylor, 72, of Butler, passed away at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at Butler Memorial Hospital from complications due to cancer. 

John was born in Butler on September 1, 1947.  He was the son of Hazel Iman Kaylor of Chicora and the late Robert P. Kaylor.

He was a 1965 graduate of Fairview Township Karns City High School. He had earned an associate’s degree from Butler County Community College and also attended the Pittsburgh Art Institute. John was a sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1966-1970 and served in Vietnam.  John retired in 2012 as an advertising specialist from AGR International Inc. in Butler.  He was well known in the art field for his many drawings and paintings in acrylic, colored pencil, and pen and ink.  He was a well known and highly respected commander of American Legion Post 642 in Chicora and took great pride in conducting military funerals for fallen veterans. 

In addition to his mother, John is survived by his wife of fifty years, Christeen Smithers Kaylor, whom he married in Butler on September 13, 1969.  Also surviving is his daughter, Marisa Hefflefinger and her husband Brian, a grandson, Austin, two granddaughters, Ellie Marie and Scarlet Joy all of Rimersburg; a sister, Kathy Anderson and her husband, Carl, of Chicora; three sisters-in-law, Karen Kaylor of Chicora,  Debbie Martin of McMinnville, TN and Virginia Fishel and her husband, James, of Florida and Ohio; an aunt, a special cousin, Susie Howeth of Texas, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

In addition to his father, John was preceded in death by his brother, Terry Kaylor, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, a brother-in law, as well as a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday.  The Chicora, East Brady and Brady’s Bend American Legion Posts will conduct military honors following visitation at 8:00 p.m.  Memorial contributions in Mr. Kaylor’s name may be made to The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org .  For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John R. Kaylor, please visit our floral store.