Former Wayland man Thomas W. Chrisman, Sr., age 74, died Saturday, Dec. 21, after a long struggle with cancer.
Born in Grand Rapids on March 11, 1945, to Frank and Virginia Chrisman, he was raised on a farm outside of Wayland where he developed his life-long love for the outdoors. He attended a one-room school house for many years before graduating from Wayland High School.
He married, raised a family and worked for many years in automotive manufacturing before retiring from Gill Industries in 2008. Tom was an avid sportsman and loved to hunt, hike, bicycle and travel with his wife of 17 years, Jeanne. Together, they biked in 26 states and went on many biking and hiking trips with their friends, the Mixed Nuts.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; children, Tom (Kelly) Chrisman, Jr., Terry (Rob) Glenn, and Troy Chrisman; stepchildren, Nancy (Ruggs) Cote, Ryan (Michelle) Trzybinski and Holly (Mike) Sheldon; 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 9 step grandchildren; siblings, Etta (Ben) Lewis, Steve (Judy) Chrisman and Deb Chrisman; and many nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Frank Chrisman Jr. and stepson, Joseph Trzybinski.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, at Reyers North Valley Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will continue the next day starting at 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral at 11 a.m. at Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids
Please make donations to the Calvary Church Benevolence Fund or Camp Beechpoint.
