Thomas J. Taylor

Thomas J. Taylor, 81, of Goshen, died Friday evening, November 17, 2023, in his home surrounded by his family.

He was born April 16, 1942, in Jacksonville, Illinois, to Dr. John S. and Mildred (Emerson) Taylor while his father was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Tom attended school in Marysville, Missouri, until 1959 when his family moved to Big Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1960.

He attended Ferris State College, Big Rapids, Michigan, for three years where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He then transferred to Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

He married Janet DeCraene in 1963. She survives in addition to a son Eric (Melanie) of Denver, Colorado; two daughters, Jennifer Peterson and Jill (Jon) Taylor Kraus, both of Indianapolis; five grandchildren, Sam Peterson, Holden and Tobin Taylor and Jenna and Jacey Kraus; and two sisters, Barbara (Richard) Kaupp of Pocatello, Idaho, and Judie (Doug) Johnson of Reed City, Michigan.

Tom worked for the federal government for one and a half years as a pest management inspector to prevent an infestation of cereal leaf beetles. He and Janet moved to Goshen in 1966 where he worked for 25 years as production manager at Western Rubber Co.

Then he and his partners, Patrick McManus and Tom Everett, purchased Excel Rubber Co., Goshen, where Tom served as president until he retired in 2011.

An avid fly fisherman, he spent memorable trips to Canada and Alaska with his son Eric and fellow fishermen. He also enjoyed tennis, golf and bridge and was a member of Maplecrest Country Club. As a member of the Elks Lodge, he had good times playing cards with his friends who enjoyed his quirky sense of humor.

He was a hard-working and dedicated husband and father and his children knew him as a quiet and kind man. Tom and his family spent many summers at their cottage home in Northport, Michigan, and his children have lasting memories of their vacation travels along M22.

A eulogy and prayer service will be conducted Saturday. December 2, at 1:30 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Visitation will follow from 2 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Elkhart County Humane Society.