Thomas ‘Tom’ G. Lippens

Tom was born on April 11, 1952 in Escanaba, Michigan, the son of Benjamin and Theresa (Geniesse) Lippens. He was raised in Rock and graduated from Rock High School in 1970. He was united in marriage to Beverly Trudell on October 2, 1971 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins. In his younger years, Tom worked for Snowden’s, K&K Fabricating and the Tilden Mine. In 1976 he began as an apprentice electrician and worked for the next 44 years in the electrical trade until retiring at 65. He was a member of IBEW Local 979, coached Little League Baseball, 5th and 6th grade basketball at Mid Pen, played softball with the Perkins Merchants, basketball in a league in Gwinn, Smear League on Monday nights and was an avid Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers fan.

His greatest passion was in helping others, no matter what, and grooming his two acre yard and surrounding grounds. He was proud of being able to build his own home alongside his wife, family and friends in 1976. His father-in-law, Walter Trudell was also a big help.

Tom is survived by his wife, Bev of Rock; children, Yvonne (Kirk) Frailey and their children, Kaydance, Skyye, Wren and Peyton of Sterling Heights, Mich., Jason (Rachell) Lippens and their children, Sophia, Josephine and Peter of Gladstone, Daymen Lippens and his children, Jada, Jacinda and Josslyn of Gladstone; brother, Jim (Bonnie) Lippens of Escanaba; sisters, Sharon (Jerry) Maki of Rock and Vicki (Tony) Demeuse of Howell, MI, nieces and nephews and his mother-in-law, Ruth Trudell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Carol Radlein, a brother, Steve Lippens and father-in-law, Walter Trudell Sr.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 24 from 1 to 4 p,m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A closing prayer will follow at 4 p.m.. A luncheon will follow at the Gladstone American Legion. Tom will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.

The family would like to express and huge thank you to Murray’s Country View and staff for their wonderful care and to the UP Health System Home Care and Hospice for their prompt and compassionate care of our husband, dad and grandfather.

For additional information or to leave the family a message of condolence, go to www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.