Thomas Carl Modreske of Wayland died Wednesday, Dec. 15. He was 86.
Tom will be especially remembered for his love of family and his sense of humor. He enjoyed his little farm that housed a variety of animals over the years. His grandchildren and even the neighbors enjoyed visiting his farm yard.
He was employed at Oven Fresh Bakery for 44 years and part-time at Wayland Chrysler for more than 45 years. Tom also enjoyed returning every November to Manistee National Forest to deer hunt with family and friends, a tradition that started in 1953.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joan; brother, Floyd; children Debbie Salas, Mike (Mary) Modreske, Dennis (Kris) Modreske, Marcee (Jack) Emelander, David (Jodi) Modreske, and Ann (Don) LaPointe; 19 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Lillian Modreske; brothers Henry Jr. and Eugene; and sisters Adeline Hines and Mary Anne Sevigny.
Visitation with Thomas’ family and friends will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 at Kubiak Cook Funeral Home, 312 N. Main St., Wayland. A private family service will take place following visitation.
Tom was a great guy. His sister, Adeline, lived behind me for more than 30 years. She told me Tom never missed a day of work. He did the deer hunt every year, never bagged any deer, according to his brother in law Ron Hines, who also went hunting with Tom. A good family miss them all.