Thomas
Thomas E. Benedict
Tom passed away peacefully Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo.
He was born November 5, 1940 in Allegan the son of Peter and Dorothy (Wolters) Benedict. Tom received his Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education and his Master’s Degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. For many years he had been a teacher at Gull Lake Community Schools and had also coached varsity basketball and been the athletic director. After his retirement in 1989 Tom became a realtor with Nulty Real Estate. He was a member of the Michigan High School Coaches Association (SAGES) for 25 years, the Otsego Elks Lodge and the First Congregational Church of Otsego. In his spare time Tom enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and grandkids. On August 25, 1962 in Otsego he married Nancy Reichenbach who survives.
Also surviving are their children, Lisa (David) Murdock of Plainwell and Lori (Kyle) Kirshman of Kalamazoo; 5 grandchildren, Josh (Kayla) Murdock, Jordan (Joe) Riley, Gabrielle Kirshman, Keagan Kirshman and Hallee Kirshman; 2 great-grandchildren, Lauren and Hannah Murdock; sisters, Nancy (Walt) Boettcher and Peggy (Paul) Madison along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Tom’s family from 6-8 P.M. on Monday, May 2, 2016 at the First Congregational Church of Otsego and from 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 3, 2016 until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 P.M. at the First Congregational Church of Otsego with Pastor Darin Youngs officiating.
A private family burial will take place at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego at a later date.
Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice, First Congregational Church of Otsego or to the
Alzheimer’s Association
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Thomas E. Benedict
Condolence Messages
Phyllis Burdick Kellar
April 30, 2016 at 1:31 pm
May God hold each of you in His loving and comforting arms… and may He help you to remember all the wonderful memories that Tom has given to you throughout the years! Blessings!
Love,
Phyllis
Reply
Sue Wesler
April 30, 2016 at 2:18 pm
So sorry to hear of Toms passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
The Welser Family Sue, Jay & Whitney
Reply
Harolyn Girardin
April 30, 2016 at 6:02 pm
I am so very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Reply
Tim Dukeman
April 30, 2016 at 7:16 pm
Nancy, Lisa, and Lori,
I am so very sorry for the loss of Coach. He touched my life in such a positive way that still influences me to this day. He was so very respected as a coach, mentor and friend by me and my family, and will be missed by us all dearly.
With my deepest sympathy,
Tim Dukeman
Reply
Tim and Marcia Quigley
April 30, 2016 at 8:02 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May your memories give you comfort.
Reply
Ted Petkus
April 30, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Dear Nancy and Family,
You don’t meet and get to know truly authentic people very often…and going all the way back to the 6th grade, it was evident that Tom was an original, true individual. I sat next to Tom in hundreds of classes from grammar school through high school and onto college. I have incredible memories of all the times together. It was a great honor to be asked to be his best man for a truly blessed wedding. He was someone you wanted to be around, he was a fun friend with a great sense of humor! But most importantly, he was an extremely kind person with a big heart, and I am deeply saddened by this tragic news…May he rest in peace as he will be truly missed.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Reply
Shawn Gorning-Segur
April 30, 2016 at 9:17 pm
Mr. Benedict was a wonderful teacher. He was very thoughtful and caring. I feel very blessed to have known him. My condolences to his family and friends.
Reply
Amy Peterson (Dwoinen)
April 30, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Nancy – I’m so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Amy
Reply
Dee Rice
April 30, 2016 at 10:49 pm
I am so sorry for loss. I knew Tom as a student at Gull Lake High School. He was a leader and mentor to the athletes the had the honor to be coached by him. May your loving memories help soften your sorrow.
Reply
Pat "Leonard" Clingenpeel
May 1, 2016 at 8:20 am
Dear Nancy & Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one.
I have nothing but wonderful memories of all of us growing up
in the same neighborhood & going to school together.
A bright spot here is that Tom has gone on ahead & is now with
our Lord & Savior.
Sincerely,
Pat “Leonard” Clingenpeel
Reply
MR & MISS MARSHALL HOWRIGON
May 1, 2016 at 10:49 am
Tom has been part of our lives for a lot of years, and will be greatly misses. Margret & Marsh
Reply
Bill & Brenda Standish
May 1, 2016 at 1:19 pm
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family.
Reply
Jan Gerhart
May 1, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Dear Peggy and Family,
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Hopefully all the good and happy memories of Tom will sustain you and your family thru this hard time. My thoughts are with you.
Reply
John & Diane Glessner
May 1, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Dear Nancy & family,
We are praying for our loving God to sustain you at this very difficult time. After so many wonderful years, we hope all your blessed memories will give you strength as you mourn Tom’s passing. Sending hugs & love in Christ, Diane & John Glessner
Reply
Mike and Patty Pearson
May 1, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Dear Nancy, Lisa, and Lori, We are so very sorry about Toms passing. Please know you and yours are in our thoughts and prayers. May our Lord keep you close and strong during this difficult time. Love you.
Reply
Janet Ellinget
May 1, 2016 at 7:25 pm
I taught and coached with Tom at Gull Lake 1973-1980. I appreciated his friendship and I extend my sympathies to Tom’s family.
Reply
Janet Ragainis
May 2, 2016 at 9:05 am
So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Tom at GLHS for many years and my husband and I spoke with him often when he golfed at Doster. My prayers are with you. Jan
Reply
Kelly Bohl
May 2, 2016 at 9:42 am
Nancy, Lori and Lisa — I was so sorry to hear of your husband/dad. He was a great man. He was fun to work with and always kind to all. Whenever I saw him on my walks through town, he always had an incredible smile and something NICE to say. I will keep you ladies in my thoughts throughout the coming days. May your hearts begin to heal. Hugs
Reply
Schinderle, Bob and Martha
May 2, 2016 at 10:04 am
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We always enjoyed his humor and know how much family meant to him.
Reply
Tom Young
May 2, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Nancy, What a pleasure it was to get to know Tom and attend several basketball games with him the past few years, basketball games in the future will always have an empty spot. Tom Young
Reply
Wayne Van Kesteren
May 2, 2016 at 8:08 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, we were classmates in the class of 59.
My condolences to his wife and family
Reply
Helen Jerrett, Thomas and Susan (Jerrett) Sawasky
May 5, 2016 at 10:52 am
We are very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Reply
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
May 7, 2016 at 5:37 pm
We enjoyed visiting with Tom often at Lifecare when we were there visiting Diane Shumaker. We even looked around to see if he was out in the hall in his wheelchair sometimes as Jerry would like to visit with him sometimes when I was with Diane.. Awwww. We are so sorry for your loss and hope that your special memories will help guide you through your grief. Take care now.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
Email
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
Your Name
*
Your Email
*
Their Name
*
Their Email
*
Message
CAPTCHA
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Δ
He was born November 5, 1940 in Allegan the son of Peter and Dorothy (Wolters) Benedict. Tom received his Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education and his Master’s Degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. For many years he had been a teacher at Gull Lake Community Schools and had also coached varsity basketball and been the athletic director. After his retirement in 1989 Tom became a realtor with Nulty Real Estate. He was a member of the Michigan High School Coaches Association (SAGES) for 25 years, the Otsego Elks Lodge and the First Congregational Church of Otsego. In his spare time Tom enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and grandkids. On August 25, 1962 in Otsego he married Nancy Reichenbach who survives.
Also surviving are their children, Lisa (David) Murdock of Plainwell and Lori (Kyle) Kirshman of Kalamazoo; 5 grandchildren, Josh (Kayla) Murdock, Jordan (Joe) Riley, Gabrielle Kirshman, Keagan Kirshman and Hallee Kirshman; 2 great-grandchildren, Lauren and Hannah Murdock; sisters, Nancy (Walt) Boettcher and Peggy (Paul) Madison along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Tom’s family from 6-8 P.M. on Monday, May 2, 2016 at the First Congregational Church of Otsego and from 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 3, 2016 until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 P.M. at the First Congregational Church of Otsego with Pastor Darin Youngs officiating.
A private family burial will take place at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego at a later date.
Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice, First Congregational Church of Otsego or to the
Alzheimer’s Association
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Thomas E. Benedict
Condolence Messages
Phyllis Burdick Kellar
April 30, 2016 at 1:31 pm
May God hold each of you in His loving and comforting arms… and may He help you to remember all the wonderful memories that Tom has given to you throughout the years! Blessings!
Love,
Phyllis
Reply
Sue Wesler
April 30, 2016 at 2:18 pm
So sorry to hear of Toms passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
The Welser Family Sue, Jay & Whitney
Reply
Harolyn Girardin
April 30, 2016 at 6:02 pm
I am so very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Reply
Tim Dukeman
April 30, 2016 at 7:16 pm
Nancy, Lisa, and Lori,
I am so very sorry for the loss of Coach. He touched my life in such a positive way that still influences me to this day. He was so very respected as a coach, mentor and friend by me and my family, and will be missed by us all dearly.
With my deepest sympathy,
Tim Dukeman
Reply
Tim and Marcia Quigley
April 30, 2016 at 8:02 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May your memories give you comfort.
Reply
Ted Petkus
April 30, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Dear Nancy and Family,
You don’t meet and get to know truly authentic people very often…and going all the way back to the 6th grade, it was evident that Tom was an original, true individual. I sat next to Tom in hundreds of classes from grammar school through high school and onto college. I have incredible memories of all the times together. It was a great honor to be asked to be his best man for a truly blessed wedding. He was someone you wanted to be around, he was a fun friend with a great sense of humor! But most importantly, he was an extremely kind person with a big heart, and I am deeply saddened by this tragic news…May he rest in peace as he will be truly missed.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Reply
Shawn Gorning-Segur
April 30, 2016 at 9:17 pm
Mr. Benedict was a wonderful teacher. He was very thoughtful and caring. I feel very blessed to have known him. My condolences to his family and friends.
Reply
Amy Peterson (Dwoinen)
April 30, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Nancy – I’m so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Amy
Reply
Dee Rice
April 30, 2016 at 10:49 pm
I am so sorry for loss. I knew Tom as a student at Gull Lake High School. He was a leader and mentor to the athletes the had the honor to be coached by him. May your loving memories help soften your sorrow.
Reply
Pat "Leonard" Clingenpeel
May 1, 2016 at 8:20 am
Dear Nancy & Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one.
I have nothing but wonderful memories of all of us growing up
in the same neighborhood & going to school together.
A bright spot here is that Tom has gone on ahead & is now with
our Lord & Savior.
Sincerely,
Pat “Leonard” Clingenpeel
Reply
MR & MISS MARSHALL HOWRIGON
May 1, 2016 at 10:49 am
Tom has been part of our lives for a lot of years, and will be greatly misses. Margret & Marsh
Reply
Bill & Brenda Standish
May 1, 2016 at 1:19 pm
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family.
Reply
Jan Gerhart
May 1, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Dear Peggy and Family,
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Hopefully all the good and happy memories of Tom will sustain you and your family thru this hard time. My thoughts are with you.
Reply
John & Diane Glessner
May 1, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Dear Nancy & family,
We are praying for our loving God to sustain you at this very difficult time. After so many wonderful years, we hope all your blessed memories will give you strength as you mourn Tom’s passing. Sending hugs & love in Christ, Diane & John Glessner
Reply
Mike and Patty Pearson
May 1, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Dear Nancy, Lisa, and Lori, We are so very sorry about Toms passing. Please know you and yours are in our thoughts and prayers. May our Lord keep you close and strong during this difficult time. Love you.
Reply
Janet Ellinget
May 1, 2016 at 7:25 pm
I taught and coached with Tom at Gull Lake 1973-1980. I appreciated his friendship and I extend my sympathies to Tom’s family.
Reply
Janet Ragainis
May 2, 2016 at 9:05 am
So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Tom at GLHS for many years and my husband and I spoke with him often when he golfed at Doster. My prayers are with you. Jan
Reply
Kelly Bohl
May 2, 2016 at 9:42 am
Nancy, Lori and Lisa — I was so sorry to hear of your husband/dad. He was a great man. He was fun to work with and always kind to all. Whenever I saw him on my walks through town, he always had an incredible smile and something NICE to say. I will keep you ladies in my thoughts throughout the coming days. May your hearts begin to heal. Hugs
Reply
Schinderle, Bob and Martha
May 2, 2016 at 10:04 am
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We always enjoyed his humor and know how much family meant to him.
Reply
Tom Young
May 2, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Nancy, What a pleasure it was to get to know Tom and attend several basketball games with him the past few years, basketball games in the future will always have an empty spot. Tom Young
Reply
Wayne Van Kesteren
May 2, 2016 at 8:08 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, we were classmates in the class of 59.
My condolences to his wife and family
Reply
Helen Jerrett, Thomas and Susan (Jerrett) Sawasky
May 5, 2016 at 10:52 am
We are very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Reply
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
May 7, 2016 at 5:37 pm
We enjoyed visiting with Tom often at Lifecare when we were there visiting Diane Shumaker. We even looked around to see if he was out in the hall in his wheelchair sometimes as Jerry would like to visit with him sometimes when I was with Diane.. Awwww. We are so sorry for your loss and hope that your special memories will help guide you through your grief. Take care now.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
Your Name
*
Your Email
*
Their Name
*
Their Email
*
Message
CAPTCHA
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Δ
Guestbook
Visits: 5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors