James Clayton 'Rip' Taylor, 89, of Tiffin, passed away Tuesday morning, January 11, 2011, at Volunteers of America Autumnwood Care Center.

He was born February 11, 1921, in Tiffin, to William and Margaret 'Beth' (Dell) Taylor. He married Beulah Jean Shellhammer November 25, 1942, in Aurora, Colorado.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Beulah, of Tiffin; three sons, Michael (Christine) Taylor of Wathaw, NC; William (Joan) Taylor of Columbus; and Patrick (Pamela) Taylor of Sylvania; two daughters, Jeanette (Richard) Widman of Tiffin; and Pamela Sue Barr of Bluffton, SC; two sisters, Mary Jean (Marvin) Boucher of Findlay; and Rosie Peters of Portland, OR.; eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death along with his parents is an infant daughter on May 24, 1955; two brothers, John and Charles Taylor; and a sister, Dorothy Tiell.

Rip was a 1939 graduate of Calvert High School and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He proudly served in the US Army from 1942-1945, as a navigator, during WWII. He was a plumber and pipe fitter at General Electric retiring in 1983, and was a member of Union #50 in Fremont. He was a member of the American Legion Post 169, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, and spending summers at Lake Erie.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Friday January 14, 2011, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Eric Culler officiating. A Rosary will be prayed 20 minutes prior to the Mass. Burial will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery with military graveside services conducted by the United Veteran's Council.

Friends may visit with the family 2-4 and 6-8 PM, Thursday, January 13, 2011, at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, OH, 44883- 419-447-2424.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Calvert Catholic Schools, or Volunteers of America Autumnwood Care Center.

Letters of condolence may be sent, and the guest book signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com