All Obituaries

Timothy Dean Taylor

July 13, 1953 - August 08, 2023

Obituary For Timothy Dean Taylor

Timothy Dean Taylor of Lucas passed away August 8, 2023. He was constantly surrounded by his loved ones that helped him “fight the big fight”. He was just 70 years old.

Tim was born on July 13, 1953 in Cadillac to Robert Dean and Yvonne Mae Taylor (Beckelic). Tim grew up in Lucas with his siblings Randy, Tom, Rick, Kathie, Terry and Brenda. He spent his younger years working at his Grandpa Clayton’s coal and potato business in Lucas. He later learned how to be an electrician from his Dad, while working in the family business, Bob’s Electric.

Tim learned how to play guitar by taking lessons from his Aunt Hankie. He continued to play lead and sing in several bands over a period of 43 years between 1966-2009: The Goldyns ,Black Annie,

The Looney Tunes, Buck Taylor and the Cadillac Cowboys, Night Train, The Nolf’s, Smitty and the Night Shift, Tarat, Crossfire, The Zac Taylor Band and Jomama.

In 1975 Tim attended Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek to study classical music. He answered a classified ad for a band and met his future wife Jan Marie Joppie through his future brother and sister

in-law, Bill and Sandra Whitaker. Tim and Jan’s connection was hot, blue and righteous.

The quest for the famous guitar life moved Tim and Jan to Los Angeles, California in 1977 where they managed apartments together. They celebrated the birth of their first son, Zachery Clayton, a future little drummer. In 1978 they moved back to Battle Creek and welcomed their second son Jesse Aaron, a future bassist and vocalist. From 1978 to 1981 Tim, Jan and the boys lived in a few different places before settling back home in Lucas. With help from friends and family, Tim and Jan built their home. In 1983 they joyfully welcomed a third son, Clayton Robert, a future vocalist and guitarist. Now, the family band was complete.

Tim spent his life working hard, raising 3 boys with Jan and running his own electrical business ,JT&T Electric. His greatest pride was being an electrical inspector for Osceola & Mason counties.

He loved to smoke, drink, play his Les Paul, listen to Rush Limbaugh and watch Dr. Who and Svengoolie. He enjoyed making fudge and popcorn, antagonizing his dogs George and Buford, kitties Blackster and Chi-chi and terrorizing his 5 grand daughters, who made a better door than a window. Tim loved space and was a dreamer of the stars.

Tim aka Buck, Pa or Grampy will be so missed by his family. He is survived by his wife Jan, 3 sons Zachery (Misty) Taylor of Manton, Jesse (Laura) Taylor of Lucas, Clayton Taylor of Lucas , 5 granddaughters Megan (Taylor Ripke), Skyler, Payten, Olivia, Royal and 1 great-grandson, Henry James Ripke. He is also survived by his siblings Tom (Karen) Taylor of Lucas, Rick (Val) Taylor of Howell, Kathy (Rich) Gengler of Falmouth, Terry (Cathy) Taylor of Lucas, Uncle Jerry (Louise) Taylor of Lucas, Aunt Hankie Taylor of Lucas, Aunt Pearl Taylor of McBain, sister in-laws Sandra Whitaker of Arizona, Judy Morey of Ceresco, Terri Sims of Kalamazoo and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins. Tim was preceded in death by his grandparents Clayton & Katie (Elenbaas) Taylor, Clarence & Edna (Baumgardener) Beckelic, parents Bob & Bonnie Taylor, brother Randy Taylor, sister Brenda Ouwinga, in-laws Earl and Evelyn (Cook) Joppie and brother in-law Bill Whitaker.

We will never forget you, Pa. ~It happens when it happens ~

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain with Rev. Steve Boven officiating. Visitation will be held from 12 noon until the time of service on Saturday. Burial will take place in the Lucas Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the McBain Community Center. The family is being served by the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain, thoughts and prayers can be expressed to the family by visiting the obituary online at burkholderfunerals.com

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Condolences

August 21, 2023

Christine Fraley

Jan I am so sorry for your loss. You both were always so kind to me through a lot of things. Jesse I am sorry for the loss of your dad. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
August 14, 2023

Cayla

I was lucky enough to meet Tim when I started working at the Building Department he was the inspector at. He was slightly intimidating with his gruff "Hello." I decided to make it my daily mission to make him smile at least one time each day I saw him. It didn't take long before I found success and we struck up a friendship. I enjoyed the jokes and the days when he would bring in George IV as well as Buford. I'm saddened to hear of his passing and wish I would have made the time to come up to McBain for a visit. There's never enough time. He definitely lived his life to the fullest and was such a great man to be around listening to his stories. You will be missed, ya grumpy old man!
August 13, 2023

Mary Geranen

May love , peace and memories surround you Jan and your family today and always. On Eagles Wings by Michael Joncas chorus ..... And he will raise you on Eagles wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand. i enjoyed seeing Tim and the band play a few times. It was so fun and the memories special. Sincerely Mary Geranen
August 12, 2023

Mary Anne Colmus

So very sorry for the families loss. I remember Tim when he was maybe 9 or 10 and I babysit for him and the younger kids. As the older child he got to stay up a little longer and he would get his guitar that he was learning to play and would sing me a song or two. That was very special to me and who would have thought how important music would continue to be for him and his children. My thoughts are with you all today and for the coming weeks. Mary Anne Brink Colmus
August 12, 2023

Dianne

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Bob, Kathy and Dianne Ziegler
August 11, 2023

Sandra Whitaker

Tim was a character unparalleled! He had the best (dry) sense of humor ever! He did answer a newspaper ad placed by my (deceased) husband, Bill Whitaker and Scott Butterfield for a lead guitarist and none of our lives were ever the same again! He brought experience and expert guitar playing to the band, Looney Tunes...then fell in love with and married my youngest sister Jan! We spent many fun times going to 'gigs' and partying with the band-from MI to CA. May he rest in peace and hopefully get that new band going in Heaven with many of our departed musician friends so we can all party again someday...
August 11, 2023

Doris Brumels

My sincere sympathies to the entire family left behind in the passing of one who meant so much to so many. I have lots of good memories of so many of you. Doris Taylor Brumels
August 10, 2023

Dan Sullivan

I met my brother-in-law Tim in the early '70s through his wife Jan, who was my wife's younger sister. Tim was playing guitar and singing in various bar bands around Battle Creek. We hit it off right away. He reminded me of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson of Nashville fame. He not only had the bearded, long-haired look of those Outlaws but could sing like them and handle the Les Paul guitar he favored as well or better than anyone on the regional bar band circuit. One of my favorites of his was "She never even called me by my name," which he always played whenever I was in attendance. We both liked redneck country music and ice cold beer, and we had plenty of good times during family visits and on outings to bars to listen to whatever current band he was playing in (or more likely leading). After my divorce in the mid-90s I lost touch with Tim and Jan, more through my fault than theirs, but I always cherished the memories I'd had of them. My heart goes out to Jan and the children, grandchildren and great grandchild on this dark day as they grieve the loss of a husband, father and grandfather. Tim was a good man and a greatly talented musician. May the circle be unbroken and they all get to see him again. There are loved ones in the glory Whose dear forms you often miss, When you close your earthly story Will you join them in their bliss? Refrain: Will the circle be unbroken by and by, yes, by and by? In a better home awaiting in the sky, in the sky? In the joyous days of childhood, Oft they told of wondrous love, Pointed to the dying Savior, Now they dwell with Him above. [Refrain] You remember songs of heaven Which you sang with childish voice, Do you love the hymns they taught you, Or are songs of earth your choice? [Refrain] You can picture happy gath'rings Round the fireside long ago, And you think of tearful partings, When they left you here below. [Refrain] One by one their seats were empty, One by one they went away, Now the fam'ly is parted, Will it be complete someday?
August 09, 2023

Frances VandenBoss

So very sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed talking to Tim and Jan. You have our sympathy.