Thomas James ‘Tommy’ Ammel

He was born on June 5, 1949, in Escanaba, son of Bernard and Eleanor (Garrett) Ammel Sr.

Tom graduated from Holy Name School in 1967 and attended Western Michigan University. He was a lifelong resident of Escanaba, Mich.

Tom worked for a variety of businesses in our community over the years. He began his career with Ammel Distributing Co and then was a brakeman for Chicago & North Western Railroad. Tom was a people person and everyone enjoyed him over the years as he managed the Highland Golf Club and the Elks Lodge 354. In more recent years, he worked for Stupak and Bergman Law Firm and Delta Disposal.

He enjoyed golfing and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Tom followed all sports, had a love for reading, was a history buff. Spending time with his family and friends brought him great joy. Tom had a gift of music and shared his singing ability with many people as he enjoyed being a part of the Remnants Barbershop Chorus. In his younger years, Tom could often be found enjoying a PBR.

Tom was a member of the Escanaba Elks Lodge 354, he was a Past Exalted Ruler and Northwest District Grand Exalted Ruler, and Stewart. He was also involved with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Highland Golf Club, the Escanaba Country Club, and was a volunteer at OSF St. Francis Hospital.

He was an active member of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church. Tom served as an usher, was in the church choir and often helped in the kitchen during church events.

If you met Tom you were lucky, if you knew him you were even luckier.

Among survivors are his life partner, Marge Derkos of Escanaba; siblings, Bernard (Kay) Ammel Jr., Daniel (Margaret) Ammel, Robert (Peggy) Ammel, Stephen (Brenda) Ammel and Patti Ammel, all of Escanaba, Mich., and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 2, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba, Mich. The Elks memorial service will be at 3 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 5 p.m. at St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church with Rev. Eric Olson officiating. A meal will follow in the church hall.

Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery next to his parents at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ammel family and a memorial in Tom’s name will be established at a later date.

A message of condolence may be directed to crawfordfuneralhomes.net

Per Tommy’s voice message: Tommy’s not here anymore – “But Go Pack Go.”