Erma "Gail" Taliaferro

Erma “Gail” Taliaferro, 78, of Holton, KS, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Holton Community Hospital. She was born December 14, 1947 in Holton, KS the daughter of Dean Adair Mick, Sr. and Hazel “Marie (Antill) Leach.

Gail graduated from Circleville High School in 1966.

She owned and operated HLX Trucking and Taliaferro Farms alongside her husband, Jerry.

She was a member of the Evangel Church (formally Evangel United Methodist Church).

Gail took much pride in being a wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma. She enjoyed reading and cooking.

She married Gerald Edwin “Jerry” Taliaferro on May 29, 1968 in Oklahoma. They celebrated over 52 years. Jerry preceded her in death on April 30, 2021. She was also preceded in death by her parents; infant sister, Ruth Elizabeth Mick; 2 brothers, Dennis Mick and Shawn Paul Leach.

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Sides (Troy) of Holton, KS; 2 grandsons, Preston Sides (Aubree) of Kansas City, KS and Parker Sides of Kansas City, MO; great-granddaughter, Stassi; step-son, Jerry Taliaferro, Jr (Dana) of Topeka, KS; step-grandson, Rusty Taliaferro of Topeka, KS; 4 brothers, Francis Mick (Kathy) of Derby, KS, Keith Mick (Kathy) of Horton, KS; Rowdy Mick (Marsha) of Fairview, KS and Dean A. Mick, Jr. (Amy) of Holton, KS and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow at the Holton Cemetery. Gail will lie in state 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Jackson County Senior Citizens Center – Meals on Wheels c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.