Margaret Taplin

A genuine, compassionate, and fun-loving woman, Margaret Taplin lived a rich and rewarding life filled with the people and things she loved. She was feisty and sassy at times, but when it came to her family she would protect them at all costs. Margaret was deeply devoted to her family, and although she treasured her roles as a wife and mother she just may have argued that nothing was better than being a grandmother, great-grandmother, and even a great-great-grandmother later in life. She and her husband were true partners in life and in business, and they were the best of friends as well. Although she will be deeply missed, Margaret leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever cherish.

The 1920s were an exciting time in American history when technology was advancing like never before. Jazz music and ballroom dancing were among the latest crazes, and the lights of Broadway never shined brighter. We celebrated conveniences like the washing machine and the refrigerator, and prosperity was widespread. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1928 when Austin and Marie (Youmans) Herrick were filled with unspeakable joy as they announced the birth of the healthy baby girl they named Margaret Ann on June 29, 1928, in Flint, Michigan. She was the fifth of 13 children in her family, and she was very involved in raising her siblings as well. Margaret’s father worked as an auto worker while her mother had more than enough to keep her busy at home.

In many ways, Margaret was a young girl of her generation. As a teen she was a bit mischievous and very outgoing with a fun-loving spirit. Margaret first went to the theater to see The Wizard of Oz. She was the secretary of her class at St. Mary’s in Mount Morris. After graduating, Margaret went on to St. Camillus – Borgess School of Nursing.

What was of great significance during this time was Margaret’s introduction to the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Albert Taplin, and they met in a rather unusual way. It was February of 1948, and Margaret and a girlfriend were hitchhiking out in front of Borgess Hospital. Al and his buddy picked the girls up, and Margaret and Al hit it off right away. They drove to Holland and back, and the night ended with their first kiss. They dated over the seven months that followed, and with a desire to establish a life together Margaret and Al were married on September 4, 1948 in South Bend, Indiana.

After a brief honeymoon in Holland, the newlyweds returned to Kalamazoo to begin their new life together as husband and wife. From 1951 to 1963, the couple started their family with the birth of Michael, the first of 5 sons, then welcomed Pat, Dennis, Charles and Steven into their hearts and home. As young parents, Margaret and Al also took on an additional endeavor when they started A&B Sewer Cleaning. Al and his brother, Roy purchased the business for just $800, and both Al and Roy continued working in their former jobs on opposite shifts while also each working for their business with Margaret taking care of the calls, scheduling, and bookkeeping. Al later bought his brother out, and he and Margaret really built the business together.

Around the house, Margaret was also a bustle of activity. Although she was an excellent cook and baker, it was hard to keep food on the table with a family full of hungry boys. In addition to her 5 sons, she considered her step son, Russell, as a priority and included him as her own. Margaret’s cakes and pies were amazing, and her meatloaf was well received as well. They always had lots of dogs around, and on the weekend they enjoyed boating and camping. They were members of the Kalamazoo Valley Outboard Club, and in 1966 they bought a lot on Silver Lake. They put a mobile home on their property there and spent time camping and hunting until 1989. In the early seventies, Margaret and Al bought 80 acres complete with a farmhouse in Lawton, and after fixing up the place they moved in. They remained there until 2003 when they sold it and moved back to Oshtemo. They also began transitioning out of the business, remaining ownership until 1997.

Margaret maintained her busy lifestyle for as long as she could. She continued her “beauty operator” regimen and was still snowmobiling into the late sixties and early seventies, and she was always out on the dance floor at weddings. During their retirement years Margaret and Al spent their winters in Florida, first in Pine Island and later in Leesburg. There, they both did a lot of fishing and also enjoyed shuffleboard. Margaret loved reading, primarily history and some romance as well as Reader’s Digest. She played cribbage and dominoes and loved shows like Bob Newhart and All in the Family since Al was just like Archie. Margaret was thrilled when her family grew to include grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, and she looked forward to the holidays and being surrounded by her loved ones. Faith played an important role in her life, and they were members of several churches including Trinity Lutheran in Paw Paw. When it came to music, Margaret enjoyed big band music, Perry Como, Neil Diamond, Elton John, and Alan Jackson. She spent the past six years living at Friendship Village.

With unending love for her family and friends, Margaret Taplin was a blessing to everyone she met. She was never one to be concerned about the little things, rather, her focus was on living with intention alongside the ones she loved most. Margaret loved babies and young children, and she was so grateful for her growing family. Described as brave and adventurous, loving and sassy, she will never be forgotten.

Margaret Ann Taplin, of Kalamazoo, died surrounded by her family on March 6, 2016 at Friendship Village, Kalamazoo. Margaret’s family includes her sons: Michael (Christine) Taplin, Dennis (Linda) Taplin, Charles (Julie) Taplin and Steven (Deborah) Taplin; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; step-son, Russell Taplin; daughter-in-law, Koddee Haner; several step-grand and step-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Elaine Little and Jeannie (Thomas) Haddorff; and many nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Taplin in 2008; son, Pat Taplin in 2004; and by 10 siblings. Visit with family and friends while sharing food and drinks Tuesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive; 375-2900 where services will be held Wednesday 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Mt. EverRest Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the burial in the Life Story Center. Please visit Margaret’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters.