Obituaries

July 27, 1932 to May 3, 2016

PLYMOUTH - Gordon Clark Taiclet, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Tuesday morning, May 3, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth Campus. He was a former resident of Monterey and Argos.

He was born July 27, 1932, in Warren, Ohio to Louis C. and Mabel I. Clark Taiclet, and following his mother’s death at an early age was raised by his father and step-mother Esther V. Taiclet who have all preceded him in death. He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy “Dot” Mae Byrge. In 1954, the couple moved to the Monterey area.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dot, and their six children: Terri J. (Dr. John) Ewalt of Madison, WI; Pamela M. (Michael) Rarick of Beavercreek, OH; Barbara A. (Jim) Toussaint of Knoxville; Danny C. (Marlene) Taiclet of Plymouth, David L. (Kathey) Taiclet of St. Louis; and son-in-law, Cress (Lynn) Hizer of Indianapolis; as well as 22 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters - Lois Poort, Carol Domingo, Betty Chester, and Margie Taiclet.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca Taiclet Hizer, and his sister Leah Chapman.

Mr. Taiclet will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, as well as a businessman, philanthropist, community volunteer, and devout Catholic. After graduating from Oxford Stewart High School where he lettered in basketball and football, he attended the University of Notre Dame for one year and then attained his B.S. in business from Miami University in 1954. He also attended multiple business management seminars at Harvard University throughout his business career. After college, he joined his father, Louis, in their family-owned country elevator business involving grain, feed, fertilizer and farm related services named Buckeye Feed & Supply, Inc. and later named Buckeye Ag-Center, Inc. The business grew from one location to five locations (Monterey, Leiters Ford, Winamac, Argos, and Kewanna) and employed hundreds of colleagues in these businesses who were integral parts of their local communities. A hard working man and entrepreneur, Mr. Taiclet was involved in many ventures, including poultry and hog livestock production. He also owned and operated a small cattle operation and family farm for approximately 20 years. As part of his business, he founded and created the Tippecanoe Railroad Company in 1980 and created one of the first successful short line railroads in the country.

Mr. Taiclet was an active volunteer in numerous community organizations. He served as three-term director of the National Grain and Feed Association, serving on the executive board and national transportation committee. He was a three-term director and two-term president of the Indiana Grain and Feed Association. He was past president of the Monterey Lions Club and Argos Lions Club. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council. He was past president and board member of the Marshall County Community Foundation. He has served as trustee and board secretary for Ancilla College and founding director of the Holy Family Foundation in Monterey.

He was known for his special football tailgate parties throughout the Notre Dame football seasons and for his love of ND basketball, where he was a season ticket holder for over 40 years. He was an avid traveler and fisherman. He loved playing cards and storytelling. He was very interested in international cultures and sponsored 12 foreign exchange students; many have remained friends. In summary, his best friend said of him, "Many people loved him because he gave so much love to so many."

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 7, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 613 N. Center St., Plymouth. Burial will follow at St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery, Monterey. A celebration of Mr. Taiclet's life and a reception for friends and family will begin at 1 p.m., at Swan Lake Resort 5203 Plymouth-LaPorte Trail, Plymouth.

Memorial donations may be made to the Rebecca Taiclet-Hizer Memorial Scholarship for Cancer Research at the University of Notre Dame, the Boys and Girls Club of Marshall County, or the Marshall County Community Foundation to the Taiclet Family Fund for Agricultural Excellence at Ancilla College.