Jeff Taylor

Rhodes Jefferson "Jeff" Taylor, 55, died on Thursday, January 7, 2010 after a long and courageous fight with colon cancer. He passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family.The funeral mass will be Monday, January 11, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at the Ponca High School Gym with Father Jack McCaslin officiating. Burial will be in Calvary at South Creek Cemetery in rural Ponca. Visitation with the family present will begin at the Ponca High School Gym at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 10, 2010, with a wake service at 7:00 P.M., with Father David Liewer officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, Nebraska. Jeff was born August 12, 1954 to Dick and Twila (Nelson) Taylor. He graduated from Ponca High School in 1973. On April 24, 1976 he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Sullivan and they were blessed with five children, Seth, Korah, Jenny, Abbey and Ben.After years of working the family construction business, Jeff became the Dixon County Clerk from 1987 to 1992. For the past 18 years Jeff worked for Iowa Paint as a salesman for the Industrial Paint Division.An avid outdoorsman, Jeff was never happier than when he was out hunting or fishing. He also had a great passion for music. After teaching himself to play guitar in high school, he was a member of the band "Ramblin" in the late 70's. For the next 39 years he and Joan would go on to sing for hundreds of weddings and funerals in the area. They always used their talents to honor God, and bring joy to those around them. They were the music to their family. One of Jeff's greatest strengths was his outgoing personality. Not only did he have a great sense of humor, but he resonated kindness. He always looked for the good in everyone and often befriended those who needed a friend the most. Above all things, Jeff had a love for his family and his relationship with God. There is no doubt to those who knew Jeff, that heaven is now even more beautiful with him in it.Survivors include his loving wife of 33 years, Joan, and their five children, all of Ponca; Seth and Korene Taylor, Pat and Korah Korth, Jenny and Scott Delperdang, Abbey Taylor, and Ben Taylor and his fianc Courtney Dohma. He also was the proud "Papa" to five grandchildren, Sam Taylor, Taylor and Lily Korth, and Brody and Olivia Taylor. He has a sixth grandchild on the way.Survivors also include his parents, Dick and Twila Taylor of Ponca; a brother, Don and Carla Taylor of Ponca; five sisters, Brenda and Ron McGill, Lisa and Kenny Hohenstein, Holly and Tom Walsh, and Melanie and Mark Charlson, all of Ponca and Merrie and Terry Eriksen of Hubbard, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Elaine and Gary Tillman of LeMars, Iowa, Mary Summers of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Marge and Roger Meinen of Vermillion, South Dakota, Annette and Ray Vandenberg of Sioux City, Iowa and Catherine and Rick Haden of Lincoln, Nebraska; brothers-in-law, Nick and Patty Sullivan of Ponca, Nebraska, Dan and Joann Sullivan of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and John and Judy Sullivan of Glen Rose, Texas. Jeff was also the proud uncle of 54 nieces and nephews.Ready to greet him in heaven were his Mother-in-law and Father-in-law, Dan and Marie Sullivan; infant brother, Demi Taylor; infant brother-in-law, Richard Sullivan; niece Keri Sullivan; nephew, Christian Charlson,; brother-in-law, Larry Summers; and sister-in-law, Jennifer Sullivan. Online condolences can be sent to www.caringbridge.org/visit/jefftaylorIn lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.