Thomas N. "Tom" Thelen

Our beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, Thomas Norman Thelen, went home to the Lord on November 7, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.
Tom was born on September 2, 1942 to Ernest and Elda (Hufnagle) Thelen in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Resurrection High School in 1960, and was united in marriage with the love of his life, Joyce Ann Felice, on November 10, 1962. Together, they had three sons, Joseph, Patrick, and Michael.
In 1977, Thomas moved with his wife and sons from Lansing to Bay City to follow his dream of owning his own automobile dealership and providing a better life for his family. Tom's hard work and tenacity helped him achieve great success as a businessman and entrepreneur in the automotive industry.  Over the years, Tom was the recipient of many prestigious awards, including being named the top Oldsmobile salesman in the country and was a nominee for Time Magazine's Michigan Dealer of the Year. He was also the proud owner of Black Forest Blades.  They produced unique knives which made it all the way to Hollywood and the White House.
His desire to give back to others in the community drove him to be involved in many charitable endeavors.  These included establishing the Thelen Family Foundation and serving on the board of directors of Camp Fish Tales, a cause that was especially near and dear to his heart. He also served as President of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association, Volkswagen and Mazda National Dealer Councils, Northwood University Board of Directors, and was a longtime board member of the Bangor Township Downtown Development Authority.
While he was passionate about his work, Tom's true pride and joy in life was his family. He most loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He also loved traveling in his motorhome, hunting, being in the great outdoors, trying his luck at the blackjack table, and enjoying his wife's delicious cooking. He had a knack for telling the best stories and making everyone laugh with his quick-witted one-liners.
He is survived by his family, who will profoundly miss his warm smile and giving heart - his wife of 57 years, Joyce; sons, Joseph (Kerry), Patrick (Marianne), and Michael (Sheryl) Thelen; siblings, Clara Hill, Jackie (Ron) Simon, Bev (Harold) Whiting, Nancy (Don) Riel, Bill (Roxanne) Thelen, Mary Brinks, and Laurie Thelen; nine grandchildren, Angela (Shawn) Gilson, Kristina (Ryan) Craves, Melissa Gerard, Lindsay (Dr. Joseph) Vanfleteren, Thomas (Taylor) Thelen, Hannah, Taylor, Sydney, and Noah Thelen; and ten great-grandchildren, Henry and Patrick Gilson, Grayson and Gavin Gerard, Beau and Theodore Vanfleteren (with one more little one on the way), Leighton and Remington Thelen, Rylan and Payton Craves; and two step-grandsons, Drew and Eric Hanover. He was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Elda and Ernest Thelen and his mother and father-in-law, Rose and Peter Felice.
The entire Thelen family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Tom's caregivers.  The friendship, care and compassion was exceptional.
The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Parish-Holy Trinity Church. The celebrant will be Rev. Robert J. Kelm with the Rite of Committal following at Calvary Mausoleum. The family will be present at the Gephart Funeral Home to receive family and friends on Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Monday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Vigil for the Deceased will take place on Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Tom will be taken to the church on Tuesday to lie in state from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations to Camp Fish Tales in Pinconning, Michigan or the donor's favorite charity.