Gary E. Taplin

 Gary Elden Taplin, 83, of rural Bryant, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Preston. Family will greet friends 9:00 am – 11:00 am prior to Mass at church. Graveside Services with Military Honors will be at 2:00 pm in Fairview Cemetery rural Miles.Gary was born June 29, 1941, the son of Thomas Elden and Marie Margaret (Petersen) Taplin. He served his county in the US Navy during Vietnam. Gary worked for Dupont, Ag Services, a realtor, helped with odd jobs, and was a farmer. He married Judy Hughes in 1968, 3 children were born of this union, later they divorced. He later married Cheryl Drury on August 6, 2005 at Elvira Zion Lutheran Church. Gary was a friend of Bill W. and a member of Miles American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, planting trees, and was an avid DIY builder. Gary enjoyed embarrassing his wife, family and friends with his joking and clothing choices. He thought duct tape could fix everything, hard worker til he possibly could not work, never took “no” for an answer, and proud of his military service. Gary would always have a response for everything, “short trip” when he was driving Cheryl crazy, “long way’s away from my heart” – if he got hurt; and there was the right way the wrong way, and Gary’s way. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; children, Shelly (Scott) Paxton, Gary (Kimmy) Taplin, and Thomas (Dolly) Taplin, Chasity (Nick) Beelner, Lindsey Huff, and Devon (Allison) Rose; grandchildren, Ruth (Harry), Nicholas (Sally), Destiney (Eric), Tony (Krista), Brody, Evan, Melvin, Lilly, Audrea, Logan, Griffin, Claire, and Amelia; 9 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; and a brother, Dennis (Diane) Taplin.Gary was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Arlene (Don) Dierksen, Lola (Carl) Machande, and Patsy (Jim) Harbron. A memorial fund has been established in Gary’s memory.Local arrangements entrusted with Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue.Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com