Thomas Ray England
GLADSTONE — Thomas Ray England of Gladstone, 80, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Transition Assisted Living in Gladstone. Tom was born on July 19, 1944, to William and Helen (Goddard) England in Indianapolis, Ind.. He was raised in Decatur, Ill., graduating from Eisenhower High School in 1962. Tom began his education receiving a bachelor’s degree in labor relation from Sangamon State University and a master of science degree from Eastern Illinois University.
Tom retired from Caterpillar in 1999. As a last hurrah, with a call from a friend, Tom was asked to come out of retirement to work in Gladstone, at Lakeside Machine. This is where he met and later married Ann Witkowski on July 4, 2008.
Although Tom considered himself a “transplant” to the U.P. he was always passionately involved in the community. To say Tom was accomplished would certainly be an understatement. He served as trustee on various boards which include Richmond Community College, the Bonifas Art Center, Bay de Noc Community College, and Brampton Township. Always politically involved he served as chair for the Delta County Republicans. He was an adjunct professor at Lake Superior State University. Tom received acknowledgement as a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge #8 of the Illinois Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. As an avid boater, he was a member of the Kalkaska Yacht Club and the Escanaba Yacht Club. Always a perpetual thinker, he founded Cornerstone Business Solutions and while thinking outside the box, became a co-founder to the Fudgie Pasty and Toivo and Eino Secret Pasty Sauce.
Tom is survived by his wife, Ann England; brother, Bob (Pat) England; stepdaughters, Kaylene (Tony Sorby) Wellman and Kathy (Dominic) Wyckoff; nephews, Chad (Angie) and Todd (Carrie) England; treasured friends, Gary and Lana Morgan, John and Christina Economopoulos, Brad and Josie Mantela, Dennis and Becky Morris; grandnieces Madeline, Emma, Lily; grandnephew Cash.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of “Living da Dream” for Tom will be held on his birthday, Saturday, July 19,, in Gladstone, Mich.
The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the England family with the arrangement and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.