Thomas Henry Newton Jr.

Thomas Henry Newton, Jr., 86, of South Haven, Michigan.

Tom passed away Sunday morning, August 22, 2010 at South Haven Community Hospital. He was born October 25, 1923 in rural South Haven to Thomas and Elizabeth Newton. He married Roberta (Decker) on May 4, 1963, and they created a wonderful life in Bangor and South Haven. Tom attended country schools near South Haven and Bangor, and graduated from South Haven High School in 1941. He enlisted in the Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor and was a radioman/gunner in Dauntless bombers in the South Pacific. Tom flew in over 40 combat missions, was aboard the Intrepid and Bunker Hill, and organized squadron reunions into this year. Upon returning to South Haven, he tuned pianos at Everett Piano for 7 years and spent the next 34 years at Bohn Aluminum, primarily as a tool and die maker. While at Bohn, Tom served as UAW President, Bargaining Chairman, and Steward. While raising his 6 children, he was active as a baseball coach and 4H leader. Tom was an involved member of the First Baptist Church of South Haven. He played in the Bohn golf league for several years; it is still going strong and is now called the Tom Newton Golf League. He retired in 1986 and began 18 years of assisting with the Bangor Varsity Softball team, and his girls lovingly called him “Fuzzy”. He was a We Care, United Way, and Kataki Council volunteer. Tom loved golf and other sports, mathematics, reading, camping and traveling. He received his greatest enjoyment spending time with family and friends. Tom and Roberta also had a winter home in Palmdale, Florida, where they had a great group of friends and cousins. Tom is survived by his wife Roberta, his loving friend for 47 years. He is also survived by his children; Tom (Carol), Scott (Mony), Jill, and Sally (Tom Resseguie), all of South Haven, Tim of Grand Rapids, and Bernie (Shelly) of St. Joseph. Tom is survived by 4 grandchildren; Nate of St. Joseph, Tyler of Orlando, Florida, and Jake and Kendra of South Haven. He is also survived by a sister, Marge Jerue, of Stanwood. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Art, and a granddaughter, Afton. Tom will be best remembered for his quick wit, along with the time and effort he gave to help others and his community. His family will celebrate his life on Saturday, August 28, at the First Baptist Church, 10781-76th Street, South Haven. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., memorial service at noon, and a luncheon to follow. Memorials in Tom’s name can be made to We Care or First Baptist Church. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.