Donald Jacob Taylor

Donald Jacob Taylor, age 87, of Marshall passed away peacefully of natural causes Thursday evening, April 30, 2020, in the presence of family, at Lakeland Regional Hospital, in Lakeland,  Florida.

Mr. Taylor was born on January 14, 1933 in Tekonsha, Michigan to Roy Frederick and Olive Mabel (Mitchell) Taylor.  He was a lifelong resident of this area and was a graduate of Tekonsha High School.  He continued his education attending college and trade schools where he earned several insurance certifications.  Starting in 1950, Don served most of his working career at the State Farm Regional Offices in Marshall.  He held many management positions there and retired as Superintendent in 1995.  He served State Farm Insurance Company for over 45 years.

On May 22, 1954, he married the former Patricia Agnes Flynn in Marshall.  Together they have five children.

Donald was an active member of the St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall where he sang in the choir and taught religion classes.  He also had been involved in the Knights of Columbus.

Don had always been a very energetic and active person.  He was a member of the Marshall Country Club.  He enjoyed spending time outdoors, fishing and hunting and was an avid supporter of the University of Michigan and the Detroit Tigers.  Don and Pat enjoyed square dancing and belonged to several area dancing clubs.  They also had many fun evenings attending dinners and other social activities at the Marshall Moose Lodge.

For the last twenty-four years, Donald and Pat wintered in the Winter Haven, Florida area.  They made many lifelong friends there and attended St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Haines City, Florida.

Donald was a self-taught musician, teaching himself to play several different instruments.  These included many keyboard instruments such as the piano, organ and accordion.  He also could play stringed instruments like the guitar and mandolin.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patricia; children, Steven Edward (Peg) Taylor of Marshall, Julia Ann Taylor of Coeur d Alene, Idaho, Deborah Kay (Leigh) Iobe of Marshall, Greg Alan (Lori) Taylor of Portage and Karen Marie Goudie of Kalamazoo; 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; a brother, LeRoy Arthur (Barbara) Taylor of Tekonsha.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Olive Taylor.

Visitation will take place form 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068,  ** The visitation will be open, but there will be marked entrances and exits to follow due to covid-19 and there will be a limit on people in the building at a time**  A Prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday.  A private family Mass will be held on Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

Friends who wish may make a memorial contribution to the Donald J. Taylor Memorial Fund for a future gift to be made in Donald’s name for the betterment of the Community of Marshall. Assistance with memorials is available through the funeral home.

To leave a personal message and sign the online guest book, please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US 27 N. Marshall, MI  49068