George Thomas Taber

George Thomas Taber, 71, of Stevensville, passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at Jordan’s Nursing Home in Bridgman. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., on Tuesday, July 3, 2007, at First United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Ct., St. Joseph with Rev. Wade Panse officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 5-8 P.M., on Monday, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Masonic Rites at 7:30 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Cancer Society. Friends may send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. George was born on November 14, 1935 in Detroit, MI to George Arthur and Esther (Young) Taber. George graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1954 and attended Ferris State University for a year before enlisting in the Navy. George served four years (1954-1958) in the Navy and held the rate of an IC (Interior Communications Electrician). Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, George wanted to pursue his love of flying and entered Embry-Riddle Flight School in Miami, Florida. Upon his graduation from flight school, he accepted a position with Whirlpool Corporation (1961) as a co-pilot. Over the years he worked his way up to a full Captain and Director of the Aviation Department. After flying 29 years for Whirlpool, he retired in November of 1990. George is now at peace and up in the sky he loved so well. George also was an avid sailor and loved Lake Michigan. George was a Mason and he became a member of the Coloma Masonic Lodge #162 F.&A.M. in 1981 and was the Worshipful Master in 1993. He also was a member of the Saladin Shrine and Scottish Rite, Valley of Grand Rapids. He was a past Commodore of the St. Joseph River Yacht Club. George married Catherine “Cathy” Wade on April 14, 1990 in Stevensville. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was such a caring, giving and considerate man. He had an infectious smile with his sparkling blue eyes. George is survived by his wife, Cathy; children, Terri Gast of St. Joseph, Kym (Bob) Golden of Boynton Beach, FL., Kate (Scott) Kapp of St. Joseph, Tricia (Tim) Mackay of Naples, FL, Marcy (Tanya) Wade of St. Joseph, and Rob Wade of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Michael, Kristen, and Jessica Golden, Chelsea and Katie Kapp, Grant and Garrett Dunn, Austin, Ellie, Brett and Kamryn Mackay, and Jake and Kyle Wade; in-laws, Don and Polly Anderson of South Haven, MI; and cousins, Jack (Jody) Hankammer of Topeka, KS and Mrs. James Cramer (Sharon) of Tucson, AZ. George was preceded in death by his parents.