Donald F. Van Thomme, Died June 11, 2018

Donald F. Van Thomme

Died June 11, 2018

SUTTONS BAY – Donald Francis Van Thomme, 66, of Suttons Bay, passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at home.

Don was born June 2, 1952 in Pontiac, the son of Edmond A. Van Thomme and Patricia (Blomme) Van Thomme.  On February 2, 1974 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, he married Tina M. (Varney) Van Thomme, who survives.

Don--called “Farmer Don" by friends and "Bunka" by his grandchildren--was a hardworking man.  He was always keeping busy with some project, whether it was fixing things around the house or building things by hand.  A self-taught carpenter, Don loved creating things with his hands and made furniture for each of his kids.  With the help of his boys, he built the greenhouses at Plant Masters, pole barns, and a cabin in the Upper Peninsula--for which he did all the concrete, plumbing, and electrical himself. 

Outside of carpentry, Don loved anything with a motor.  In his teens, he drove demolition derby cars at the Armada Fair.  He owned 12 powerboats throughout his life.  He was also an avid snowmobiler, toured much of the U.S. and parts of Canada in a motorhome, and traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico as well.  He enjoyed hunting deer and elk, fishing for salmon, and being out on the water.

He was a well-loved man, who knew a million people.  His sense of humor made him the King of One-Liners and could always get you to smile.  He had a way of making you feel special and appreciated.  Whenever he gave a gift to someone, you knew how much time and effort he put into making sure it was just right – because he truly cared.

In losing Don, the Suttons Bay community loses more than a hardworking man; it loses a friend of everyone.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Tina; his children, Eric (Tara) Van Thomme, Brendon (Carly) Van Thomme, and Tristan (Crystal) Van Thomme; six grandchildren, Rachel, Joshua, Aubrey, Jessica, Dahlia, and Lilly; his siblings, Charles (Connie) Van Thomme, Marlene (Lynne) Zienert, and Corinne (John) Bultynck; and his four-legged kids, Pepper, Bandit, Sally and Levi.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The memorial mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 3 at St. Mary of the Assumption, 307 S. St. Mary Street, Lake Leelanau, with family greeting friends one hour prior.  Burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Isadore.  Fr. Bryan Medlin will serve as celebrant.  A light luncheon will immediately follow the burial service at the Cedar Hilltoppers Snowmobile Club, 7949 S. Schomberg, Cedar.

Please Note:  

All are welcome to a celebration of Don's life with food and drinks from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 4 at the Van Thomme residence.  In true Don style!  

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Don’s honor may be directed to Great Lakes Border Collie Rescue, 8841 Bishop Road, Brighton, MI 48116  and/or to the Suttons Bay/Bingham Fire & Rescue, PO Box 280, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

Please share condolences with Don’s family below or on our Facebook page.