Philip M. “Opie” Taylor

PORTAGE ‒ Philip M. “Opie” Taylor, age 48, of Portage, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Philip was born on August 2, 1977, in Portage, Wisconsin, the son of Paul Augenstein and Julie Taylor Augenstein. He was married to Devon Taylor on August 10, 2002.  Philip loved going hunting with his friends and daughter. Family was his #1 passion, and loved “Family Sunday”, shopping with his family, and going out to eat. He especially enjoyed going out for steak dinners and being on-the-road in his Semi. Philip wholeheartedly loved his family and spent almost every day with his three-year-old granddaughter. He was a very hard-working man, who would give the shirt off his back, and always thought of others first. He would go to his father- and mother-in-law’s to help out every weekend. All Philip’s friends say, “He was one of the good ones.”

Philip is survived by his wife, Devon; his children, Austyn Taylor and Kaytlin Taylor; his granddaughter, Kimberly “Kimber”; his parents, Paul and Julie Augenstein; three sisters, Mary (Josh) Cook, Pamela Augenstein, and Angela (Ishmeal) Albino; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends. He was preceded in death by a son, David, in infancy.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday with memorial services at 11:00 a.m. on July 31, 2026, at City of Refuge Church, 111-133 East Haertel Street, Portage, with the Rev. Justin O’Boyle officiating. Inurnment will be private

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, is assisting the family.