Jesse W. Taul

Jesse W. Taul, 90, of Versailles passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at the Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville. He was born at Friendship on October 1, 1921 the son of Hunter and Lois Ward Taul. He was married to Patricia Broaders on June 1, 1947 and she preceded him in death on April 3, 2005. Survivors include one son Carl (Katherine) Taul of Holton; granddaughters Carisa (Brian) Sexton of Cloverdale and Rachel Taul and her companion Brian White of Danville; great-grandchildren Kenny Sexton of Washington and Samantha White of Danville; one great-great-granddaughter Jacey Sexton; one brother Jim (Sharon) Taul of Versailles; one sister Mary Edith Bullock of Georgia. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty Bode. Mr. Taul was a 1939 graduate of Cross Plains High School. He was an Army veteran of WWII where served as a First Lieutenant in the Rhineland and also in the 3rd Army in Germany under General Patton. He received the American Theatre Service Medal, Germany Occupational Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Mr. Taul owned and operated the Taul Insurance Agency in Versailles for 30 years and also worked as a Public Accountant and a farmer. Jesse received his pilot's license in 1960 and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He became a member of the Bear Creek Baptist Church in 1931 and upon moving to Versailles became a member of the Versailles Baptist Church in 1954. He also was a member of the Versailles American Legion, a 62 year member of the Versailles Masonic Lodge, the Indianapolis Valley Scottish Rite, York Rite, and the Ripley County Voiture 40 & 8. Jesse was a former member of the Versailles Town Board and had served on the Board of Directors and also as sexton for the Cliff Hill Cemetery in Versailles. He and his wife Pat were instrumental in the clean up and re-platting of the Akers Friendship Cemetery. Jesse had also once been the democrat candidate for state representative in the district. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 15 at 11am at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Burcham and Rev. Sherman Hughes officiating. Burial will be in the Akers Friendship Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Visitation will be Thursday from 4pm to 8pm with the Versailles Masonic Lodge conducting services at 7:30pm. Memorials may be given to the Akers Friendship Cemetery in care of the funeral home.