Dr. J.E. Taft     Dr. J.E. Taft, 82, of Mexico, died Monday evening, September 7, 2009 at Boone Hospital and Clinics in Columbia.    Funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, September 12, at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 1200 N. Clark, in Mexico, with Fr. Young officiating. Visitation will be 6 – 8 p.m. Friday at Pickering Funeral Home. There will be a Rosary at 8 p.m. Burial will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Resurrection Cemetery in Jefferson City.    J.E. Taft was born, July 26, 1927, in Mexico, a son of Raymond E. and Ferrie F. (Danes) Taft. On August 22, 1953 in Folk, Missouri he married Helen Schoenen. Mrs. Taft preceded him in death on March 5, 1993.    Survivors include one son, Dr. James D. Taft, New York, NY; two daughters, Sheila Taft Nixon, Boonville, and Susan Ann Taft, Mexico; three grandchildren, Taylor James Nixon, Zachary Taft, and Nicholas Sherman; and one brother, William Howard Taft and wife Myrtle, Columbia.    Dr. Taft was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the Medical Corps in the US Army from 1945 until 1947. He was a graduate of Westminster College in 1952 and UM Health Science in Kansas City in 1957. He had a medical practice in Mexico from 1962 until his retirement in 1992, he specialized in general surgery and proctology. He was a member of the American Osteopathic College of Surgeons, American Osteopathic College of Proctology, past member of the American Osteopathic Association and the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.    He was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Church and was instrumental in the formation of the church in Mexico. He held the organizational meeting in December of 1978 in his office. Over the years he obtained many first class relics for the chapel and provided the case to display them in, and he has made many generous contributions to the church, even starting a trust fund in memory of his wife that supports Priests at the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Winona, Minnesota. On October 24, 1948 he became a member or the 3rd Order of St. Francis at St. Anthony’s Church in St. Louis, his given name was Bro. Theodore, S.F. O. and he later helped establish the 3rd Order in the Mexico St. Mary Magdalen Church. His daughter Susan followed him in the tradition of the order and her given name is Sr. Helen, S.F.O.    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Mary Magdalen Church. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.

Public Tributes and Expressions of Sympathy On behalf of the class of 1980 I extend my sympathies to Jay and the rest of the Taft family during this time of loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Toni (Botkins) Monsen I always enjoyed the talks we had when I was staying at Monsignor's. He had such a kind voice. I commented on that fact to Msgr. When my niech Lori Staehle was born in Mexico, you Dad delivered her, then he and I were her God-parents. That was either in 1963 or 1964. My deepest sympathies to Susan and the entire Taft family. I will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the intention of your dear father, Dr. James Taft, on Monday, Sept. 14th, feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. +Requiescat in Pace+ Fr. David A. Sansone The Last Great Gift a parent can give to his family is a Holy Death. Thanks to our Great Priests, he was able to do this. Most people die the way they lived. This is only Just. Dr. Taft's Holy life was rewarded by his Holy Death. I'm sure he will RIP. God Bless, Bill Rinehart Our family enjoyed having "Uncle Jim" join us on several family reunions over the years in Virginia and also in the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. He was always lots of fun and kept us all laughing. We will miss him. Alice Taft As his older brother I still can't comprehend this situation. But we live on our memories. Jim was 12 years younger and in our early days we had little in common. However, when he retired and after the loss of his wonderful wife, Jim saw much of America as we took him on trips with us. Annually we went to Virginia, my wife's home state, and there he saw what a large family style of living was like -- Myrtle was one of 14 and a family reunion could draw 150 persons. They all took to Jim, as he sought to learn more about them. Our final reunion there was in 2000 and he was with us. We took him with us to Key West, to San Franciso area, and other parts of the U.S. I remember his youthful days -- he would be in our Olive Street home and in the basement he mixed chemicals to see what happened and he dissected animals -- and he continued to be concerned with such all his life. He was one of those pioneer doctors who really cared for his patients and it was not unusual when we visited with him that if we were out in the public some former patient would come up to him to thank him for savings their lives. I am not too sure he fully accepted many of the medical practices in today's world. Definitely he will be missed. Besides his love and friendly approach to life, we depended on him to translate our doctors' instruction to us into the English language. Myrtle and I share in his love for his family and we hope this tragic event will strengthen family ties and the three children can share their life experiences and recall all of the great times they had when their parents were around. We offer a prayer or their future happiness. Bill and Myrtle Taft. PS; Both of us were Westminster College alumni and shared our love for that institution and the opportunities it provided for us to acquire an education. Susan, I just found out about your dad. I am so sorry. I lost my dad two years ago and know how it feels. I hope everyone is doing ok. I always enjoyed talking to your dad at the hospital. Mike Fletcher Dr. Taft delivered me into this world (kicking and screaming with a big black & blue shiner) on July 25th, 1969. He and Helen never failed to send me birthday cards each year and wish our family well. Sheila and Susan graciously babysat me and Jay always waved hello to me as I bicycled past their house. Very fond memories I have of the Taft family and I send my deepest condolences on the passing of your father. Dr. Taft's kind eyes and wonderful smile will remain in my favorite memories forever. -Laura Minor Mackey Columbia, MO Susan, your dad was a friend and will be missed. I have called Jim my friend for the past 15 years, having first met him at SSPX in Chicago, IL, where I was living, when he would visit Susan, who was living there, too. We became fast friends, and when I moved to Kanas City, I saw Jim often and we became close friends. He would visit me and my mom and dad at our house frequently, always with a bottle of wine under his arm and a box or two of Russell Stover candy that he picked up in Boonville for us, and sometimes even a pie if he would first stop at Costco. The four of us would sit around the table munching and talking and just having a good time. Jim was so kind to my parents, especialy dad (who died only eight months ago on 1/3/09) who had so many serious medical conditions over the past 10 years. He even came to visit Mom when she had her kidney removed a few years ago, and was at her bedside postop. Yes, such a good friend, he was. They were of that greatest generation, all three World War II veterans. They talked often of those days and also of Missouri, since Mom was of Missouri vintage. I especially was thankful to Jim after I had a serious "slip" in my garage and learned all about whiplash. Jim started working on my neck each and every time he came to visit. Finally, after about two years, it was getting back to normal. He relieved my suffering tremendously. So many other wonderful memories. We became such good friends that we spoke on the phone almost daily. It was good for both of us. He never tired talking about his children and grandchildren, and the dog, too. We talked about religion a lot, too, agreeing on most everything, not to mention politics. I, too, am in disbelief that God took him so quickly. We are all so unprepared for this and still in a state of shock. But, as God is so good, Jim went almost exactly like my own father in January, a sudden stroke, having received all sacraments and indulgences of the Church, and both, I am led to believe, going straight to Heaven. No suffering! - only for those of us who miss them (Jim) so much. Jim will always remain in my prayers, and all his family, too. I sure miss those beautiful smiling blue eyes, all the stories he told (he was so smart - I learned a great deal from him), and his laid back easygoing way - always. I can only believe that Jim knows how much he was loved, and I hope it is some small comfort to Susan, Sheila, Jay and his brother, William. And for the grandsons, know that your Grandpa was and remains a great man - most especially kind and happy, helping so many. He was so proud of the three of you. Please know for sure, he is now praying for you in Heaven. He is your own saint in Heaven for you to pray to. Don't forget to ask him to look afer you; He is !!! Our consolation. Rita McCarthy, Kansas City, MO. Dr. Taft was my family's physician during my teen years before I went off to school and was always an attentive, caring and yet humorous doctor. Probably most of my visits were for school athletic physicals and he laughed at how silly some things were that he was supposed to check, like how he was supposed to know if I actually heard the hearing toner, or just his mallet hitting the toner. Amazingly 40 years later when I met with him for other matters, he remembered those visits and joked with me that I wasn't ever sick, I just came for those physicals. I enjoyed our work together in our later life and the humor that he shared even over difficult issues. His occasional emails were always welcome as he only sent them when something really moved him or struck him as quite funny. His faith sustained him and I hope your's will see you through this loss. Lew Melahn I knew Dr. Taft for 13 years.He delivered my youngest daughter in October 1963. She was delivered at home.I had the best of care. I always thought the world of him.I got to see him in Mexico this spring and will always remember it. He was a very gracious man.My sympathy to all the children and their family. This world has lost one of the kindest men I have ever met. I was 13 when my parents and I moved to Mexico and Dr. Taft became our family dr. Many times he made house calls to give my mom shots for her migraines. He delivered both of my children and took such good care of them through their younger years. My son was born on the Monday we celebrated Presidents' day and I remember Dr. Taft saying "come on baby and we'll give you some cherry juice"! Then he asked me if I was going to name him George!!! He was a wonderful man! Susan I know how you feel about your father and your mother. You were a saint to both of them. Now they can be together again and rest in the arms of the Lord. I know the pain you are feeling and it will never completely go away. If it did we would not be human. Sometimes our will is not Gods and we know not what he has in store for us. Treasure the memories and look forward to the future. You have been there for your family and your reward is waiting. God bless you and your family in your time of need. Love, Ron Sheila, Taylor, Zachary and Nicholas...We just wanted to express our sympathy on the loss of your father and grandfather. Dr. Taft was such a pleasure to visit with when he came to visit you across the street and you could tell how much he loved you. We will miss seeing his car parked in the driveway and the little visits we had with him. God be with you during this difficult time. Nancy, Darin and Brett Windsor. My family always looked forward to seeing your Dad at our family reunions. He always had a good sense of humor. I enjoyed all the stories told at the visitation about Jim. He will be missed. Bill Taft Jr. I want to offer my heartfelt prayers and condolences to all the members of Dr. Taft's family. I remember the first couple of years of my priesthood in the early 1980s when I used to travel twice a month to the little Mass center in Mexico, Missouri from St. Marys, Kansas. I remember Dr. Taft, and his wife and children, and so many other kind parishioners from the little chapel in Mexico. And I still have wonderful memories of those days! May Our Lady and St. Joseph always watch over Dr. Taft's family, and may Our Lord keep them close to His Sacred Heart! Fr. Stephen DeLallo, Veneta, Oregon (Sept. 21).

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