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Jack Lee Taylor

September 24, 1949 - April 12, 2025

Obituary For Jack Lee Taylor

Jack Lee Taylor, age 75 of McBain, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025. He was born on September 24, 1949, in Richland Township to James and Henrietta (Karsten) Taylor. As the oldest of eight children, Jack was gifted with a large family tree that never seems to stop blossoming.

On January 15, 1977, he entered into marriage with Ruth Ann Sharp at the Rehoboth Reformed Church in Lucas. They were married for 48 years and raised four children who love their parents dearly.

Jack grew up learning the value of hard work, faith and community. He served his country in the Vietnam War with the United States Army and then spent nearly his entire career working in sales distribution with Gordon Food Service. Jack was a lifelong member of the Rehoboth Reformed Church in Lucas and served as a deacon.

Jack was an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting with his brothers and spending his winters golfing with friends in Gulf Shores, AL. He made spending time with grandchildren and family a priority. Community was important to Jack. He usually was one of the first to show up and quietly lend a hand when someone was in need.

He is survived by his wife Ruth Taylor of McBain, children; Sara (Tim) Bahorski of North Muskegon, Katie (Dan) DeMann of Dorr, Chris (Christina) Taylor of Hudsonville, and Betsy Taylor of Columbus, OH, grandchildren; Jack, Will, and Sophia Bahorski, Bryce, Ellie, and Paige DeMann, Ava, Edward, and Harvey Taylor, mother Henrietta “Hankie” Taylor of McBain, siblings; Sue (Paul) Boven of McBain, Linda Koetje of Falmouth, Dale (Bev) Taylor of McBain, Bruce (Lynn) Taylor of McBain, Brian (Lori) Taylor of Oostburg, WI, Dawn (Ben) Wilcox of Big Rapids, and Karen (John) Koetje of Byron Center, in-laws; Pete (Linda) Sharp of Cadillac, Sally (Tom) Ederer of Cadillac, Carolyn (Gerry) Weidenfeller of Cadillac, Penny (Mike) McEachern of Mesick, Barb (Paul) Booth of LeRoy, and Kathy Dahlen of Boise, ID, as well as many other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his dad James Taylor, brother in-law David Koetje, sister in-law Kathy Taylor, and mother and father in-law Frances and Devere Sharp.

Funeral services with be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 19 at the Rehoboth Reformed Church in Lucas with Pastor Kathy Vana officiating. Visitation will from 5-7PM on Friday at the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. A luncheon will follow the service at the church and burial will take place in the Richland Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out to St. Jude’s. The family is being served by the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain, thoughts and prayers can be expressed by visiting the online obituary at burkholderfamilyfuneralhome.com

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Tributes

Judy Bahorski planted 5 trees in memory of Jack Lee Taylor . - April 16, 2025

Condolences

April 17, 2025

DENNIS ILER

Jack and I went to school together for 13 years. I remember Jack as always being positive and a gentleman. He emailed me recently to let me know he had heard about my cancer diagnosis. He wanted to let me know that he was praying for me. A true Christian gentleman. We will miss you Jack.
April 16, 2025

Tom Snivley

Prayers for the Taylor family. I worked with Jack at Gordon Food Service for many years. No one took better care of his customers and loved his family and the outdoors better than Jack. He will be missed by many. Tom Snivley
April 15, 2025

Dale Ouwinga

I worked and lived with Jack, played softball with him and I don't think I ever saw Jack Angry. Always a gentlman and soft spoken. One of the best men I've known. Dale Ouwinga
April 15, 2025

Dave Taylor

Jack was the cousin I was closest to and we shared a love of the outdoors and hunting spending some very enjoyable hunting experiences together on pheasant and deer hunts. As young kids we lived close together and I and my siblings spent a lot of time with Jack and his older brothers and sisters. We both spent time in the army drafted during the Vietnam era although Jacks time in Vietnam was certainly more difficult. In the last few years, as we lost parents and family communications were not as frequent he and I kept up on family news through email and occasional visits usually during deer hunting season. He was a devoted family man, kind and gentle of spirit and I as well as others will miss him very much. God rest his soul. Dave Taylor