Alvin D. Thomas Jr. age 80 of Bass Lake Gowen died Friday September 23, 2005 at Spectrum Health United Memorial Greenville. He was born in Oakfield Township Kent County MI on April 11 , 1925 the son of Alvin D. and Vivian Mosher Thomas. Al was employed in construction for many years. He helped build the United Memorial Hospital in Greenville and retired from Old Kent Bank. He was a former member of the Flat River Antique Auto Club and enjoyed woodworking. He was a people person and especially loved his grandchildren and family. After his wife Joyce died in 1974 and he married Jane E. Cole Marsh on December 14, 1974, a mother with seven children one still an infant,he became the loving husband, father and grandfather to his special family for the past 31 years.
He is survived by his wife Jane, his children, Ellen (Rob) Sanger of Clayborne Texas, Vicki (Chris) Nelson ,Bobbi (Doug) Bittenbender, Thomas Marsh all of Greenville, Sandy (Stephen) Pike of Sand Lake, Linda (Mugs) Szanto , Kimberly (Wesley) Brown and Sara (John) Ortiz all of Gowen, 20 grandchildren , 14 great grandchildren, his brothers and sisters, Kenneth Thomas of Greenville, Ernest (Janet ) Thomas of Belding, Peggy Tower, Wayne (Joyce) Thomas and Pat (Jerry) Closson all of Gowen, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Barbara Schondelmayer, Marie Cole both of Grand Rapids, James (Shirley ) Cole and Susan ( Tim )Walker of Cedar Springs and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce and sister Maxine Ward.
Funeral services will be held on Monday September 26, 2005 at 1 PM from Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville with Rev. Ken Harger officiating. Burial will be in Oakfield Cemetery, Greenville. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to Spectrum Health United Memorial Foundation , Greenville
