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KAREL – Thomas “Tom” L. Karel, age 66 of Caledonia, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus, surrounded by his family, after a long struggle with cancer on Friday, October 23, 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Marilyn; children, Jon (Kerrie), Marc (Heather), Kristin (Kyle) Witte, Jeremy (Jennifer); grandchildren, Cody, Anna, Levi, Ella, Maxton; sister, Donna (Richard) Ament; brother-in-law, Carl (Pat) Walquist; and several nieces and nephews. Tom was a beloved family man who enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved his job as Vice President of Human Resources forTrinity Health at Mercy Health St. Mary’s Hospital. He spent many years building relationships with individuals and organizations in the Grand Rapids community. Funeral services for Tom will be held Tuesday at 11:00 am at Ada Bible Church, 8899 Cascade Road SE with Pastor Randy Ledeboer officiating. Members of the family will receive relatives and friends at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Chapel (Kentwood), 4646 Kalamazoo SE, Kentwood on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to Lacks Cancer Center.
Leave Your Tribute Message
November 05, 2015 11:39am
Tom was an HR colleague of mine within the Trinity Health system. He was a strong, knowledgeable, dedicated, and professional HR leader. I can only hope that in my journey as an HR professional that I will be recognized and respected on the level that Tom was.
He was a wonderful man and now God has him by his side.
- La Shon Long
October 27, 2015 9:31am
Sending heartfelt condolences to your whole family. Tom was a wonderful mentor to me and taught me a great deal about how to see the big picture while holding strong person centered values. He will be greatly missed. Lauran Hardin
- Lauran Hardin
October 27, 2015 8:32am
Dear Karel Family, I remember your father from his days at Butterworth Hospital, what an outstanding leader, gentleman with integrity, truth seeker, non judgmental individual, quiet and kind man he was. He led the organization through many changes and let me tell you the organization was running him ragged at times, but you never heard a complaint from him. An example set for others that you rarely find in large organizations! Your father and husband influenced any careers in his lifetime. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Marla Clark
- Marla Clark
October 27, 2015 7:02am
I am so sorry to hear of Tom's death. He was a wonderful man and trusted colleague. He was a visionary among his HR team across the Trinity health system. He will be missed. Sending my thoughts and prayers to his family. Jane
- Jane Renwick
October 27, 2015 4:58am
I am very saddened to learn of Tom's passing. He was my first contact when interviewing for a position at Butterworth Hospital in 1981. From then on I have always admired Tom for his dedication, integrity and kindness. An Uncommon Leader who will be missed but not forgotten.
- Dan Stickles
October 26, 2015 6:28pm
Our condolences to the Karel family, so sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Juan Mut
October 26, 2015 4:47pm
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved family member and friend Tom. He was a wonderful person and HR colleague who will be sorely missed. May God provide you comfort during this difficult time.
- Nancy Hill-Davis
October 26, 2015 2:14pm
Jon,
please accept my depest con for y dolences for your loss. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Bill Ramirez
- Guillermo (Bill) Ramirez
October 26, 2015 1:30pm
I am sorry for your loss.
- Mrs. Dorothy Houtstra
October 26, 2015 12:07pm
Jon,
Our condolences to you and your family for the passing of your father. Having been there when my mother passed, I know that this is not an easy time. We will continue to pray for you and your family through this difficult time.
- Joseph Moser
October 26, 2015 9:42am
Tom Karel was my "Hero", my heart is broken. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
- Salma Pallick
October 26, 2015 8:43am
To Marilyn and the entire Karel family we offer our most sincere condolences. Tom is such a wonderful person who still lives as your faith attests. May God bless you as He has already done in the form of family and friends who love you.
- David & Jennifer Snook
October 26, 2015 8:26am
I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Tom was a gentle man, had a grat concern for the underprivileged, and great to work with. He will be sorely missed at Mercy Health.
Kent Miller
- Kent Miller
October 26, 2015 6:26am
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. You all have an amazing angel watching over you now. I can't imagine the loss that you are all feeling right now, but speak of him often and tell stories of him. Let love and laughter fill rooms when you think of him. It was an honor to know him. Thank you for sharing him with the Saint Mary's family.
- Darcy Traxler RN
October 26, 2015 6:23am
Blessings and prayers for heartfelt sympathy for the family, friends and close colleagues of Tom Karel. I only had the opportunity to work with him very briefly at Mercy Health Saint Mary's on a few select projects, but I was able to immediately see the impact of his kind and giving spirit of leadership. He will be greatly missed, but the impact he made during his time with our organization will live on always. Praying for peace which passes all understanding.
- Lindsey Rodarmer
October 26, 2015 6:12am
Dear Marilyn and family,
My deepest condolences go out to all of you on the loss of your dear husband, father and grandfather. I had the privilege of knowing Tom and working with him for many years and will miss his wisdom, integrity and advocacy. I am better for having known him. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
- Alina Chourrot
October 26, 2015 5:06am
Sending a prayer to you Jeremy, and your family, may god bless !
Jackie Haywood
- Jackie Haywood
October 26, 2015 5:00am
Tom was a wonderful leader and mentor. He was always willing to give of his time and knowledge. The world has lost an angel and he will be missed. Praying for the family.
- Keyantee' Davis
October 26, 2015 4:00am
Our deepest heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family in their time of need and beyond. Tom will be missed by many as he has touched so many lives; personally and professionally. My you find peace.
- Veltman's
October 26, 2015 2:22am
Character. Integrity. Kindness. Reflective. Humble. These are just some of the words that come to mind when I think of the man I knew. Even as he struggled through his treatment, he remained true to his character and positively touched the lives of those observing his ordeal. This world's loss becomes Heaven's gain.
- Steve Palmreuter
October 26, 2015 12:48am
Kerrie (and Jon) - So sorry to hear of your father's passing. Very sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
- Tim Hartley
October 25, 2015 5:13pm
Marilyn and rest of Tom's family. I was sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a gentle soul and a devoted family man with a quick smile. I would often run into him at Panera Bread in the morning and we'd have a quick chat or just a smile and a wave hello. I've looked for him recently and wondered why I hadn't seen him. Now I know why. :-( My sincerest condolences.
- Joni Schichtel
October 25, 2015 5:05pm
I am very sorry for your loss. The world has lost a great soul. Tom was a gentle, reflective person who touched many lives with his wisdom, guidance and mentoring. I am blessed to have known him. Mary Rosser (Mercy Health)
- Mary Rosser
October 25, 2015 12:57pm
Jeremy and Jen: Having lost my dad to cancer at his age of 68, I know how you feel. Our sincere condolences.
Dennis & Joni
- Dennis B Murphy
October 25, 2015 12:50pm
Incredibly sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for your family.
- Melanie Baas
October 25, 2015 11:02am
Our condolences to the Karel Family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tom was a sincere and supportive professional who was a leader in his field. His positive influence will continue to live on through the many individuals who had the privilege of knowing him.
- Jack Ditmar
October 25, 2015 7:01am
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all. God bless you all. Nancy
- Nancy Blackwell
October 24, 2015 9:00am
My prayers go out to Tom’s family and to the many colleagues at Mercy Health whose lives and careers he impacted. Tom was a powerful, humble leader and influencer with endless commitment and compassion for people. Tom’s leadership has been a blessing that will live on and on through the people he served at Mercy Health – including me. His mentorship and support has been invaluable.
- Margy Dayton
October 24, 2015 4:03am
So sorry to hear about your dad! You will be in our thoughts and prayers this week.
- Sarah (Boone) Geelhoed
October 24, 2015 3:34am
Our heartfelt condolences to the passing of Tom. Our prayers and best wishes at this painful and sad time. Tom was unique, bringing both enormous compassion and business savvy to helping promote quality health care and to aid individuals working within healthcare. He was a valued partner, colleague, and friend.
Steve Robbins for the ETS "family"-Princeton New Jersey
- Steven Robbins
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