Thomas Daniel Wilfong, age 86, of Escanaba passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Lake View Assisted Living in Gladstone.
Tom was born on February 8, 1933 in Powers, Michigan the son of Ernest and Mary (Brinn) Wilfong. He was raised in Gladstone and graduated from the Gladstone High School in 1951. Following high school he attended Jackson Junior College. Tom served his country proudly in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 and was a Korean War Veteran. He was united in marriage to Donna Bryson on August 29, 1959 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba. He was a longtime member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and was a manager with the Ameritech Corporation from 1955 until he retired in 1989. He enjoyed 30 years of retirement, hunting, fishing, spending time at the cabin and volunteering at St. Vincent dePaul.
Tom is survived by his children, Tracie (Terry) Koepp of Marquette, Carrie (Mike) LaPin of Negaunee, Scott (Julie) Wilfong of St. Cloud, MN and Cheri Wilfong of Carpentersville, IL; 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, his parents, brother, Raymond Wilfong and sisters, Eileen Jawson, Frances Wilfong, Joyce Borden, Betty Weimer and Mary Wilfong.
The family will receive friends on Monday, October 14 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba. Military Honors will be presented at 3:00 PM by the Delta County Veterans Council and the US Army Honor Guard. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 4:00 PM at St.Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Escanaba with Fr. Rick Courier officiating. A luncheon will follow in the Parish hall. Tom will be laid to rest in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
The Wilfong family would like to extend a thank you to the staff of Lake View Assisted Living in Gladstone and OSF Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion.
Craig & Sue DeVries - Holland, MI
Our love and sympathy to you. We have so many wonderful memories of the times we spent with your mom and dad. Craig always talked of your folks as his “UP mom and dad”. Your mom and dad always helped celebrate Craig’s birthday during hunting season with your mom baking him a cake and your dad and Craig talking about the sardines in mustard sauce that was a traditional gift for deer camp. Your mom and dad were a true blessing to us and will be greatly missed. We also rejoice and have the comfort knowing they are with our heavenly father. Your mom and dad loved the Lord and it was evident in everything they did. Much love and sympathy to your family.
Denise A Cormier - Allegan, MI
Thinking of all of you. Nice pic of your dad, btw. Your parents were such good people. We didn’t see you all much after you left LL, but when we did, it was like no time had gone by. True friends—family, really.
Love,
Denise Poisson Cormier.
Chuck & Laura - Richfield, MN
Our sympathy to the family of both Tom & Donna !! We enjoyed seeing them and spending time with them on our annual trip to Gladstone. Over the past few years we would have a fish-fry at my cousins where I would provide Minnesota Crappies. Both Tom & Donna enjoyed the battered fish and both were big eaters. They were so much fun to be around. We will truly miss them.
Chuck & Laura Lancrete
Bud Lemire - Escanaba, Mi
Tom was a wonderful man. I met him and his wife first at North Woods Place, and later knew them at Lakeview Assisted Living. Tom would always shake my hand and we’d have a nice conversation. A pleasant man I am happy to have known.