OLSON, THOMAS JOHN, age 83, of Shepherd passed away Sunday, January 14, 2018, at the Crestwood Village in Mt. Pleasant under the care of Great Lakes Caring Hospice.

Funeral Services for Tom will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at 11 a.m. with Fr. Loren Kalinowski officiating. A luncheon will be held immediately following in the Reflections Reception Center. Rite of Christian Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, January 17, from 5-8 p.m. A Vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Visitation will continue on Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tom Olson Scholarship Fund at CMU. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.

Tom was born on May 8, 1934, in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Carl and Ruth (Milloy) Olson. Tom proudly served his country in the United States Army, serving during the Cuban missile crisis. He married Betty Sue Hoople on August 25, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tom graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School with the class of 1953 and received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Central Michigan University. He worked as a teacher in the auto shop at Mt. Pleasant High School for over 30 years. He served as Department Chairman of the Vocational Technical Center, was active with the Mt. Pleasant Lions Club, Central Michigan Old Car Club and the Buick Car Club of America. Tom loved restoring antique cars, traveling, dancing, and boating. He and Betty enjoyed spending their winters in Florida.

Tom is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Olson; children, MariAnne (Frank) Reihl of Mt. Pleasant, Amy Jo (Terry) Fewless of Big Rapids, and Thomas C. (Patti) Olson of Remus; 6 grandchildren Andy J. (Angela) Reihl of Beal City, Mark M.(Danielle) Reihl of Grand Haven, Jason T. Donley of Morley, Amanda Jo Olson of Mt. Pleasant, Courtney Anne (Ryan "Bubba") Gritter of Grandville, and Abby Marie Olson of Grandville; step grandchildren Kris (Ashley) Fewless of Ft. Meyers, FL, and Nathan (Jennifer) Fewless of Spring Lake, MI; 8 great-grandchildren: Blake, Ava, Allie, Aylin, Cade, Gus, Marley, and Archer; step great-grandchildren Haven, Gabe, Rylan, Sawyer, and Declan; brothers, Robert (Margie) Olson of Mt. Pleasant, Richard (Patti) Olson of Kalamazoo, and William Olson of Grand Rapids; sister Emily (Michael) Fawley of Portage; and many nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Olson.

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