Saying goodbye: Services set for slain former Peoria High School basketball player

Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star
·1 min read
Peoria High's Mikequese Taylor (10) smiles as the Lions extend their lead agains Dunlap in the first half Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 at Dunlap High School. The Lions defeated the Eagles 71-46.
Peoria High's Mikequese Taylor (10) smiles as the Lions extend their lead agains Dunlap in the first half Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 at Dunlap High School. The Lions defeated the Eagles 71-46.

PEORIA — Mike'Quese Taylor will be laid to rest with a celebration of life service on May 25.

The former Peoria High School basketball star was shot to death on April 30 while home from Kansas City Kansas Community College team to visit his newborn son.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Living God of Peoria, located at 2815 West Lake. Reverand James Taylor will present the eulogy. The ceremony can be viewed via live stream on the TW Parks Colonial Chapel Facebook page.

"Mike'Quese was energetic, passionate, headstrong, and driven," read a portion of his obituary at twparkschapel.com. "These characteristics were exemplary on and off the court, as he was a role model to many."

More: 'Special kid': Slain former Peoria High basketball player remembered as hard working, supportive

Taylor is survived by his father, Micheal Cleary; mother, Nijja Taylor; 3-week-old son, Mike'Quese M. Taylor; brothers Michael Sommerville, Messiah Taylor, Christopher Polnitz-Cleary, Malaki Sommerville and Messiah Dudley all of Peoria; sisters MyKeionnia Childs, Tamra Tinsley, Minasja Cleary, Niasja Cleary, Trinity McNeil and Honesty Cleary, all of Peoria, and many other aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and teammates.

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Mike'Quese Taylor services set for Peoria High School basketball player