Shirley Taft

Shirley Taft, 79, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2014, at Valley View Healthcare where she had been the past 13 months She was born April 24, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Leslie Grover and Mary (Bontrager) Cole. In 1952 she married Charles Lynn Forsythe and then in 1971 she married Richard Taft. Both preceded her in death. She is survived by a daughter, Debbie (Chris) Watters, Elkhart; a son, Michael Forsythe, Fort Collins, Colorado; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, William (Marti) Cole, Florida; and a sister, Julia (Jerry) Blyly, Goshen. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a son, Steven Forsythe; two brothers, Robert and Jim Cole; and a sister, Betty Prelle. A longtime resident of Elkhart County, Mrs. Taft worked at Elkhart General Hospital for several years with premature babies. She was a member of New Testament Bible Church, Elkhart. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life. Friends may call one hour prior to the 1 p.m., memorial service on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. Her brother, Pastor William Cole, will officiate. The burial of her cremated remains will follow at Gracelawn Cemetery, Middlebury. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.