In Memory
In loving memory of Clayton Clarence Boike, 86, of Taylor Michigan. He passed away on Friday, August 1, 2025, surrounded by loving family.
Born on November 24, 1938, in Wayne Michigan, the son of Fred and Caroline Boike (Knope). He spent the majority of his life living in Taylor Michigan. He lived in the house his father built over 100 years ago. Some even called him the unofficial Mayor of Taylor. Telling anyone who would listen, the history of the city.
Clayton married Beverly (Gaffney) on October 6, 1979, in Las Vegas Nevada. They were happily married for over 45 wonderful years.
Remaining to cherish Clayton’s memory are his wife, Beverly; Children, Debbie Johnson-Weeks, Edward (Glenda) Boike, Terry (Mandy) Boike, Cheryl (Ronald) Milbank, Cynthia (Dennis) Wilson, Anthony Boike, Christa Work, and Michael (Skye) Boike; Step-Sons, Reed Burke, David Burke, and Jim Burke; as well as15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Caroline; Siblings, Florence, Leona, Shirley, Sophie, and Don; Grandchildren, Terry Clay, and Valencia; Great-grandchild, Aubrey; and Step-Son Mark.
He was a union autoworker for General Motors and retired 31 years ago on April 1, 1994.
He was a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 53 years. He helped many people find and maintain their own sobriety.
Clayton was also a member of the Wayne Masonic Lodge #112, a member of the Shriners International Fraternity, and a member of the Taylor Michigan Tin Lizzies.
His hobbies included racing and working with dirt track motorcycles until his 60’s. Teaching many young men how to ride and repair motorcycles. In addition to working on his family farm, woodworking, playing cards, hunting and spending time with his family, friends, and AA family.
Clayton touched the lives of so many people. He was very loved and he will be truly missed.
Clayton Boike
Margaret Forgach
Margaret Forgach passed away on January 30th at her home in Taylor, Michigan. She was 100. Margaret was born May 11th, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan, to Katherine Jessik and John Zidi. She was raised in the historic Delray neighborhood, known as the “Little Hungary” of Detroit.
Margaret was an only child. She dropped out of high school to care for her ill-stricken father. During this time, she met and married John Forgach. When her father passed away, her mother lived with her and John, and the primary language spoken in the house was Hungarian.
They raised five children: Virginia (Ginny), Allen, Kathryn (Kathy), Susan (Sue), and Julie. As neither Margaret nor John were able to finish high school, they worked very hard to ensure their children had the best education they could provide.
Margaret was a devoted full-time mother who took active roles in her children’s school activities: cheerleading, Cub Scouts, football, music lessons, dance lessons, baking treats for all these various activities, and, of course, driving to and from all the activities.
She also ran an immaculate home, was an avid baker of breads and cakes, and was a parts runner for John’s collision business. She was an active sewer and mastered the Bishop Sewing Method. She made clothes and Halloween costumes for the children, suits for John, wardrobes of doll and Barbie clothes, and a wedding dress for her daughter. She shared her love of sewing by teaching it in Taylor’s adult education program.
With her children raised, Margaret returned to school and received her high school diploma. She then started college and took classes toward a degree in accounting. She was very proud of finishing school.
She then became active in charitable and community work. She helped the elderly with shopping and errands, served on the College of Regents of Melvindale’s Women of the Moose and attended Mooseheart, served as Treasurer of the Taylor Historical Society and was instrumental in shopping for and running the gift shop.
In her spare time, Margaret bowled in several leagues and won several trophies. She loved playing cards, reading, assembling jigsaw puzzles, knitting, and crochet. She had a green thumb, growing plants from clippings and seeds.
Beloved wife of the late John. Loving mother of the late Virginia (Dave) Hayes, Allen (Martha), Kathryn (the late Stan) Heldreth, Sue (Don) Bojanowski, and Julie (Tom) Shaw. Dear grandchildren, David (Patti) Hayes, John (Jennifer) Hayes, Cathy Hayes, Jennifer (Andrew) Smith, Michael (Kolby) Forgach, Melissa Vary, Kristen (Matt) Schroeder, and Adam Shaw. Great grandmother of Bobby (Sara), Kyle, Austin, Brooklyn, Madison, Kinley, Brianne, Landon, Logan and Leeland. And great-great-grandmother of Benjamin, Colton, Lakelyn, and Tracie.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, February 10th, between 1 and 3 PM and the Memorial Service will begin at 2 PM located at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home 9800 Telegraph Rd. Taylor, MI 48180. In place of flowers, the family asks for a donation to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
George Gouth
George Gouth, our historical society past president, member, and commissioner, passed away November 6, 2022. He was 90 years old.
He was a wealth of knowledge when it came to Taylor and Wyandotte history. He will be missed by many especially the Taylor Historical Society.
February 24, 1932 – November 6, 2022
George Gouth. Age 90 of Taylor.
Beloved husband of the late Marlene Gouth. Loving father of Karl (Kathy) Gouth and Pauline (Mike) Iwao. Dearest grandfather of Michael Gouth, Brian Gouth, Eri (Kyle) Gesell and Emi Iwao. Preceded in death by brother Johannes Gouth and sister Elizabeth Kaern.
Irene Sell Stevenson
The Historical Society extends condolences to the family and friends of Irene Sell Stevenson who passed away November 27, 2022 at the age of 98 years old.
Here is a synopsis of her obituary. To read more of Irene's obituary click here:
Irene Stevenson, 98, of Gladwin was born on December 9th, 1926, in Taylor Township, Telreka, Michigan to William and Genevieve Sell in the family home at Telegraph and Eureka Roads.
Interestingly, her birth was not registered with the State of Michigan until later in life when her brother Kenneth, signed an affidavit, attesting to her birth to allow official registration in the State of Michigan on June 23rd, 1943. She was baptized on December 26th, 1926, confirmed on March 17th, 1940, and married on October 18th, 1952, all at St John’s Lutheran Church in Taylor, Michigan.
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REST IN PEACE