Donald E. Taylor
May 10th, 1923 - November 24th, 2020
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Donald's Obituary
97 years old, Donald E. Taylor, also known as 'Ole Don'; passed away peacefully on November 24, 2020, in South Haven, Michigan. He was born in a farm house near Breedsville, Michigan on May 10, 1923, the first born son of James A. & Stashia M. (Holdridge) Taylor. Raised on the farm and lived there with his family until he joined the army on 4/28/44. He served in the Philippines until coming home in April, 1946.
After his honorable discharge, he came back home to the Breedsville-Bangor area and worked in the oil fields for a while, then at Ely Hardware Store in Bangor; going from there to Bohn Aluminum where he worked until retirement in 1987.
He met Lois Marie Niles at the Crystal Palace in Coloma and married her on November 9, 1947. Their first child was born on September 2, 1948 and after four more, their sixth and last child was born on August 21, 1955. They moved to South Haven to be closer to his work and lived there the rest of their lives together.
In his youth, Don loved to play baseball and basketball and loved the outdoors. He also fished, hunted, danced and enjoyed socializing. He started bowling when they moved to South Haven and became quite proficient at it. He was the high average bowler from 1967 thru 1979 (with the exception of 1974) with over 200 average for two of those years. He had over seven 700 series in league competition, back when high scores meant something. He finally gave up bowling at the age of 91 when his knees just couldn't do it anymore. And at 92, decided it was also time to give up golfing.
In 1950, he joined the Moose fraternity which was to become a huge part of his and his family's life. He served as secretary, then administrator of the South Haven Lodge from May 1, 1957 for forty years and at the same time went thru all offices of the Michigan Moose Association, ending in being elected state president for the year of 1981-1982. Through his years with the Moose, he made many lifetime friends, both in Michigan and other states.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Lois, his parents, a brother, Jim Taylor and his wife Grace of Bangor, sister Evelyn Schoenfelder and her husband Rudy, a brother in law, Mervin Yeider, son-in-law Jim Anderson, and Don’s close companion, Lois LaBar. After his wife, Lois, died in 1992, his children and the Moose Fraternity became even more important to him, filling up his time with his family and friends.
Don is survived by his six children, Don, Terry (Kathy), Gary (Diana), Tracey , Nancy, & Donna. His grandchildren, Tom, Kristen, Eric, Jennifer, Lauren, Addie, Stashia, Max, Adam, Margo, Kane, Jim, Cody, Heather, Brady and Jacob. His great grandchildren, Jase, Gavin, Nolan, Westley, Arlo, Michael, Collin, Paytin, Shyanne, Aniyah and one more great granddaughter on the way. He also leaves behind a sister, Peggy Ann Yeider of Bangor, many nephews and nieces, and many, many friends.
Private family services will be held. A memorial celebration will take place at the South Haven Moose Lodge in the Spring. Donald will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in South Haven. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ole Don's memory to the South Haven Moose Lodge #697, 1025 E. Wells St., South Haven, Michigan 49090.
Please Click the link below for Viewing:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/J9WGT7NNR3CC7F3F
After his honorable discharge, he came back home to the Breedsville-Bangor area and worked in the oil fields for a while, then at Ely Hardware Store in Bangor; going from there to Bohn Aluminum where he worked until retirement in 1987.
He met Lois Marie Niles at the Crystal Palace in Coloma and married her on November 9, 1947. Their first child was born on September 2, 1948 and after four more, their sixth and last child was born on August 21, 1955. They moved to South Haven to be closer to his work and lived there the rest of their lives together.
In his youth, Don loved to play baseball and basketball and loved the outdoors. He also fished, hunted, danced and enjoyed socializing. He started bowling when they moved to South Haven and became quite proficient at it. He was the high average bowler from 1967 thru 1979 (with the exception of 1974) with over 200 average for two of those years. He had over seven 700 series in league competition, back when high scores meant something. He finally gave up bowling at the age of 91 when his knees just couldn't do it anymore. And at 92, decided it was also time to give up golfing.
In 1950, he joined the Moose fraternity which was to become a huge part of his and his family's life. He served as secretary, then administrator of the South Haven Lodge from May 1, 1957 for forty years and at the same time went thru all offices of the Michigan Moose Association, ending in being elected state president for the year of 1981-1982. Through his years with the Moose, he made many lifetime friends, both in Michigan and other states.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Lois, his parents, a brother, Jim Taylor and his wife Grace of Bangor, sister Evelyn Schoenfelder and her husband Rudy, a brother in law, Mervin Yeider, son-in-law Jim Anderson, and Don’s close companion, Lois LaBar. After his wife, Lois, died in 1992, his children and the Moose Fraternity became even more important to him, filling up his time with his family and friends.
Don is survived by his six children, Don, Terry (Kathy), Gary (Diana), Tracey , Nancy, & Donna. His grandchildren, Tom, Kristen, Eric, Jennifer, Lauren, Addie, Stashia, Max, Adam, Margo, Kane, Jim, Cody, Heather, Brady and Jacob. His great grandchildren, Jase, Gavin, Nolan, Westley, Arlo, Michael, Collin, Paytin, Shyanne, Aniyah and one more great granddaughter on the way. He also leaves behind a sister, Peggy Ann Yeider of Bangor, many nephews and nieces, and many, many friends.
Private family services will be held. A memorial celebration will take place at the South Haven Moose Lodge in the Spring. Donald will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in South Haven. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ole Don's memory to the South Haven Moose Lodge #697, 1025 E. Wells St., South Haven, Michigan 49090.
Please Click the link below for Viewing:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/J9WGT7NNR3CC7F3F
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