Thomas “Tom” L. Karel

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.