TAFFINDER, David 1909-1982

TAFFINDER, WAMSLEY, MEYER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 7/21/2011 at 14:19:29

Memorial services for David William Taffinder, 72, of Wellsburg, were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, at the Doyen Funeral Home in Wellsburg with the Rev. John H. Elenbaas officiating.

Graveside services were held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Steamboat Rock Cemetery, Steamboat Rock.

Mrs. Tyle Huisman was soloist and Mrs. Clarence Beecroft organist. Flower attendants were Mrs. Tena Franken and Mrs. Dena Slifer.

Doyen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

David W. Taffinder passed away Thursday evening, July 22, 1982, at his home in Wellsburg due to an apparent heart attack. He reached the age of 72 years, 10 months and 25 days.

He was born on August 27, 1909 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of David W. and Elizabeth (Wamsley) Taffinder, Sr. He was orphaned at the age of 5 years and first stayed with Mrs. Annie Place in Brooklyn, who was a friend of his mother. He later lived with uncles and aunts.

When he was 12 years old he came to Grundy Center with the Orphan Train sponsored by the Children's Aid Society and Church. The O. J. Ontjes gave him a home for a short time and his first job was counting pennies at the Holland Bank.

The Tonjes Meyer's, who farmed near Holland, gave him a home until he was 18 years old, at which time he went on his own and worked for several farmers in the Holland area. Later he returned to New York City and worked for the American Can Company, until he joined the United States Marine Corps and served for four years.

On August 21, 1938, he was married to Minnie Meyer at the Second Christian Reformed in Wellsburg. During World War II he was an airplane mechanic and supervisor at the Philadelphia Naval Air Station, where he and his family lived for five years.

David was engaged in the carpenter trade for many years.

He also was the Scoutmaster of the Wellsburg Boy Scout Troop No. 85 for several years.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Those left to mourn his passing are: his wife, Minnie; a son, Ronald Taffinder of Houston, Texas; a daughter, Mrs. Louis (Rita Wray) Brown or Arlington, Virginia; four grandchildren, Terri Lee Taffinder, David Taffinder, Jr., Charmaine Ann Brown, Matthew Louis Brown; one sister, Mrs. Bessie Connelly of Brooklyn, New York; one brother, Harry Taffinder of Lutz, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.