Obituary for Thomas C. & Ilene Marie Wass
Ilene Marie Haan was born December 24, 1938 to the late Henry and Helen (Zokas) Haan in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ilene died at home in Arcadia, MI on March 4, 2020. She was 81.
She grew up in Grand Rapids and graduated from Union High School. She was employed by Michigan Bell Telephone Company.
Thomas Cornelius Wass was born in Flint, Michigan on April 13, 1935 to the late Peter and Jessie (Schuur) Wass. Tom died at home in Arcadia, MI on October 30, 2020. He was 85. He is survived by a brother, Robert Wass and wife Marian of Grand Rapids, MI, a niece and nephews.
Tom graduated from Union High School in Grand Rapids. He graduated from General Motors Institute. Tom also spent time in the Air Force.
December 12, 1957 Ilene and Tom married in Grand Rapids. They had three children: Sandy, Terrie and Tim. They were married 62 years.
Ilene spent many years raising their children, helping in their schools and finding many creative outlets. She was a party planner before it was an actual career! She was a master seamstress making many of Sandy and Terrie’s clothes and her children’s Halloween costumes for which they won many contests. Later she did the same for her grandchildren.
Ilene enjoyed painting. She taught tole folk art painting to many at The Little Red Hen in Plainwell. She was a masterful cake decorator. She decorated for many church banquets and other events including the Red Hat Society of which she was a member. Creativity was always something she enjoyed.
For ten years she owned and operated The Imagination Station preschool in their home in Plainwell, MI. Many children benefited from the wonderful programs and nurturing she provided. It was also a fun place for her grandchildren to visit.
Tom was employed by General Motors and after 30 years, retired. He then earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He continued to work in other capacities. Tom, along with Ilene, were instrumental in founding several Christian schools around the Kalamazoo area. They also taught computer technology and Kindergarten in Christian schools. Tom co-owned The Imagination Station along with Ilene. He was Township Supervisor for multiple terms both in Gun Plain Township and Arcadia Township. He served on Deacon boards in several churches where they were members. Tom and Ilene served as youth leaders and Tom enjoyed teaching adult Sunday School especially when he taught Bible prophecy.
Tom always loved anything with an engine. He owned many, many cars, Corvettes being a favorite. He loved his fishing boat and spent a lot of time on Lake Michigan fishing for salmon. His prized possession was a yellow Pitt biplane which he loved to fly. He was known to frequently fly over friends’ homes in the Plainwell, MI area. He enjoyed flying over Arcadia, Mi during Arcadia Daze for many years. He also made a cross-country trip with his plane.
Tom and Ilene are survived by their children: Sandy (John) Manning of Plano, TX, Terrie (Steve) Niehaus of Boyne City, MI and Tim (Vicki) Wass of Castle Rock, CO along with their grandchildren: Michael Manning, Tom and Brett Manning, Lauren (Manning) and Jon Gohn, Emily Manning, Erin Niehaus, Sunny and Matthew Wass.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, July 30 at 4:00 at the Point Arcadia Clubhouse, Hazel Street, Arcadia, MI.
Donations in their memory can be made to: Hospice of Michigan www.hom.org/donate Please designate Ludington in the Geographical Region drop down.
Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee. (www.oakgrovefh.com)
She grew up in Grand Rapids and graduated from Union High School. She was employed by Michigan Bell Telephone Company.
Thomas Cornelius Wass was born in Flint, Michigan on April 13, 1935 to the late Peter and Jessie (Schuur) Wass. Tom died at home in Arcadia, MI on October 30, 2020. He was 85. He is survived by a brother, Robert Wass and wife Marian of Grand Rapids, MI, a niece and nephews.
Tom graduated from Union High School in Grand Rapids. He graduated from General Motors Institute. Tom also spent time in the Air Force.
December 12, 1957 Ilene and Tom married in Grand Rapids. They had three children: Sandy, Terrie and Tim. They were married 62 years.
Ilene spent many years raising their children, helping in their schools and finding many creative outlets. She was a party planner before it was an actual career! She was a master seamstress making many of Sandy and Terrie’s clothes and her children’s Halloween costumes for which they won many contests. Later she did the same for her grandchildren.
Ilene enjoyed painting. She taught tole folk art painting to many at The Little Red Hen in Plainwell. She was a masterful cake decorator. She decorated for many church banquets and other events including the Red Hat Society of which she was a member. Creativity was always something she enjoyed.
For ten years she owned and operated The Imagination Station preschool in their home in Plainwell, MI. Many children benefited from the wonderful programs and nurturing she provided. It was also a fun place for her grandchildren to visit.
Tom was employed by General Motors and after 30 years, retired. He then earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He continued to work in other capacities. Tom, along with Ilene, were instrumental in founding several Christian schools around the Kalamazoo area. They also taught computer technology and Kindergarten in Christian schools. Tom co-owned The Imagination Station along with Ilene. He was Township Supervisor for multiple terms both in Gun Plain Township and Arcadia Township. He served on Deacon boards in several churches where they were members. Tom and Ilene served as youth leaders and Tom enjoyed teaching adult Sunday School especially when he taught Bible prophecy.
Tom always loved anything with an engine. He owned many, many cars, Corvettes being a favorite. He loved his fishing boat and spent a lot of time on Lake Michigan fishing for salmon. His prized possession was a yellow Pitt biplane which he loved to fly. He was known to frequently fly over friends’ homes in the Plainwell, MI area. He enjoyed flying over Arcadia, Mi during Arcadia Daze for many years. He also made a cross-country trip with his plane.
Tom and Ilene are survived by their children: Sandy (John) Manning of Plano, TX, Terrie (Steve) Niehaus of Boyne City, MI and Tim (Vicki) Wass of Castle Rock, CO along with their grandchildren: Michael Manning, Tom and Brett Manning, Lauren (Manning) and Jon Gohn, Emily Manning, Erin Niehaus, Sunny and Matthew Wass.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, July 30 at 4:00 at the Point Arcadia Clubhouse, Hazel Street, Arcadia, MI.
Donations in their memory can be made to: Hospice of Michigan www.hom.org/donate Please designate Ludington in the Geographical Region drop down.
Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee. (www.oakgrovefh.com)