Beloved husband, father, uncle, and friend, Thomas R. Deja passed away surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday March 13.
Tom was born in Edmore Michigan and graduated from Edmore High School, class of 1965. He married the love of his life Ann (Witkowski), and they raised three children together. He served in the US Army for three years, was stationed in South Korea and Fort Hood Texas, and was discharged as a sergeant. He graduated from Davenport College and Aquinas College and was employed with the Amway Corporation for 39 years until he retired.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife Ann, his parents Robert and Helen Deja, brother Richard, and father and mother-in-law Ted and Terry Witkowski. He is survived by son Thomas (Jenna) of Oak Park IL, son Sean (Vonda) of Kentwood, daughter Rachell (Dane) Mariage of Walker, sisters-in-law, Karen Deja-Caulkett of Edmore, Jeanette Witkowski of Maryland, Ruth Wyant of Allendale, Elissa Simon of Illinois, brothers-in-law, Mark Witkowski of Holland MI, and John (Kristin) of Holland MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Robert of Newminster Catholic Church, 6477 Ada Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301 on Tuesday, March 19 at 11am, and the family will hold a visitation Monday, March 18, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 from 6-8pm.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to San Juan Diego Academy, 1650 Godfrey Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509, Humane Society of West Michigan, 3077 Wilson Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534, Feeding America of West Michigan, 864 W River Center Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, Paws for a Cause, 4646 South Division Wayland, MI 49348, or the charity of your choice.
5 Responses
He will be sorely missed. We have so many fond memories of this dear, kind and sweet man.
Tom was my brother in law and was great. I will miss him and all the laughs we had together!
We will miss you Great Uncle Tom. He was so amazing to our son Isaac over the years, sending cards to him for birthdays, holidays, and just for laughs with good dad jokes. We will always remember his kindness, his big heart and gentle presence. We love you and miss you but you will live on in our hearts through fond memories.
My sympathies to the Deja family. I knew Tom through his daughter Rachell. He was a true gentleman, and it was obvious that the two of them shared a lot of love and respect for each other. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Tom.
After the wedding and reception for our daughter Kristen and John’s wedding, we invited the Witkowski family members to our Waukazoo home. That included Tom and Ann and I remember how fun-loving and verbally clever they were.
Years later, we were included in an outdoor, Witkowski family reunion. I don’t remember specific conversations with Tom, but I know he looked happily embraced by his and Ann’s large, extended families (and ours).