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Thomas

Thomas D. Noyes

Tom passed away, Monday, January 17, 2022 in Kalamazoo.

He was born November 29, 1944 in Allegan, the son of Sherley and Mary (Blonshine) Noyes. Tom proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam as a missile technician. For over 40 years he worked at Parker Hannifin until his retirement. He also taught at KVCC for over 30 years.

Tom loved aviation and got his pilot’s license before his driver’s license. He was a member of the Marshall Soaring Club. He also enjoyed remote controlled airplanes and collecting tractors. Tom was very handy and mechanically inclined and was able to fix just about anything. On August 12, 1966 in Watson Township, he married Elaine Powless who survives.

Also surviving are his children, Lisa Noyes, Zach Noyes and Judd Noyes all of Kalamazoo; sister, Sue Weiland of California along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, Steve and brother, Joe Noyes.

Friends may visit with Tom’s family starting at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 22, 2022 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Steve Smail officiating.

Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego.

Military Honors by Otsego VFW Post #3030.

Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to the Marshall Soaring Club.

Messages of condolence may be posted at

www.WinkelFuneralHome.com

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Offer Condolence for the family of Thomas D. Noyes

Condolence Messages

Dorothy Smatt

January 18, 2022 at 6:12 pm

Elaine/Lisa/Zach/Judd:

It is with sorrow that I learned of Tom’s passing. My memories of him allows have been and allows will be of a kind and gentle soul that loved to fly his plane and share his knowledge with others. He will be greatly missed. I hope my words bring some small comfort to your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dorothy

Reply

Lori Snyder- Steele

January 18, 2022 at 6:12 pm

Elaine and family, sorry for your loss. Sending prays

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April

January 18, 2022 at 6:53 pm

You will be dearly missed. Love goes out to the family. Hugs and kisses!

Love Brian, April, and Jessica

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Mary S Harris

January 18, 2022 at 6:56 pm

Sorry for your loss. Prayer to you and your family.

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Judith Lampen

January 18, 2022 at 7:26 pm

Tom will be missed by many. I remember one sunny day when Tom’s wife, Elaine and the rest of the Quilting sisters were sewing at my house when we heard what we thought was a airplane, but thought it sounded to low. After a few minutes we were still hearing it, so we went out on the deck, and sure enough it was Tom, saying “Hello”.

RIP Tom, and I remember the cookies you would make for us too.

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Bonnie Frye

January 18, 2022 at 8:45 pm

Elaine, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray for you and your family in this time of grief.

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Mike &Sherry Hanson

January 18, 2022 at 9:22 pm

We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, I worked with him at Parker and he showed Mike how to fly remote control airplanes .

We are out of state so unable to attend.

Our prayers to the family.

Reply

Jane Cornette-Smeed

January 18, 2022 at 9:57 pm

Elaine and family,

We are saddened by the sudden death of your husband yesterday. No words can express our sympathy for you.

God Bless you All.

Stan and Jane Cornette-Smeed

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Margie Grabowski (Morgan)

January 19, 2022 at 6:16 am

Elaine and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers

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Joe & Doris Wolters

January 19, 2022 at 7:48 am

Elaine,

Joe & I are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers for you and your family.

Joe & Doris Wolters

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Lee and Diane Boysen

January 19, 2022 at 8:16 am

I enjoyed working with Tom at Parker. He was friendly and easy going. We extend our most sincere sympathies to Elaine, their sons, and extended family.

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Darl & Joyce Gilliland

January 19, 2022 at 8:20 am

Dear Elaine and family, we are so sorry to hear about the loss of Tom. Sending our sympathy and loving prayers to you during this difficult time. May God give you strength, comfort and peace. God bless you.

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George Neal

January 19, 2022 at 9:43 am

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.

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Karl Zeigler

January 19, 2022 at 10:07 am

Dear Elaine,

Our care, love, and prayers go out to you and your family – especially this week. May you experience the love and support of your 29er team members as you say good bye to your lover and partner. Our blessings pour out to you in this stressful time. With our love, Carmen & Karl Zeigler

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Sally

January 19, 2022 at 10:14 am

So sorry for your great loss, I knew Tom from Parker Hannifin, He was always so soft spoken & a gentle soul, Such a kind & Amazing Man.I really adored this lovely man, May he be in the highest of highs, Love & hugs & prayers to Toms family

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Pam Miller & Tom Hagadone

January 19, 2022 at 10:43 am

So very, very sorry, Elaine!

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Adam Miller

January 19, 2022 at 2:04 pm

I’m going to miss you, Uncle Tom. Hopefully I can become as principled, wise, and respected as you someday. You were a great man.

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Ann & Bob Bronkema

January 19, 2022 at 2:44 pm

Dear Elaine,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and

your family. Enjoyed working with Tom for many years. He will be missed by many.

Reply

Josh Hatfield

January 19, 2022 at 2:58 pm

So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He was a great mentor and teacher. I loved being in his class at KVCC, My condolences to the family.

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Tim Allen

January 19, 2022 at 5:30 pm

Elaine, sorry to hear of your loss. Jim Smith had much respect for him in the Farmall days. He called him Shorty.

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Kathi Fuss

January 19, 2022 at 6:27 pm

SO sorry for your loss of Tom, Elaine. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family . Love ya . Thank God for our wonderful memories ❤️❤️

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John Edwards

January 19, 2022 at 7:50 pm

Elaine,

I’m very saddened to hear that Tom has passed on. He was a wonderful man.

Tom was my mentor. He guided me through a tough time in my life and helped me in ways that I don’t think he himself realized.

If it wasn’t for Tom, I would have never became a Toolmaker, never continued my education, never received a college degree.

I will ALWAYS remember Tom as a mentor, a leader, and most importantly my friend.

Reply

Dave DeBoer

January 19, 2022 at 11:13 pm

My condolences to Tom’s family. Tom you will be missed by many. You were a great instructor and and became a great friend. I will miss your humor teaching, and allowing and inviting discussion.

I will always appreciate you reaching out and getting me back behind the controls in the left seat, I will miss the time in the air and your company very much.

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Bonnie L Ketchum

January 20, 2022 at 2:46 am

Tom was a humorous, talented, intelligent man who seemed to enjoy passing on his knowledge. It was too soon for you to lose him, and I wish there was something to say that would make it easier. Please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss your family has suffered.

Bonnie and Duane Ketchum

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Cathy Bates

January 20, 2022 at 10:48 am

Elaine: Though I had not met Tom, you talked of him often with me–I know how much you adored him and feel your grief. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

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Kathi Fuss

January 20, 2022 at 2:19 pm

So sorry for your loss of Tom, Elaine. Sending hugs and prayers to all. Thank God for all our wonderful memories . Love

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Thomas Hudson

January 20, 2022 at 9:04 pm

I had the opportunity to have known Tom for 41 years and work with him at Parker. Tom was very knowledgeable and skilled in the machine trades. I always found Tom to be very helpful in assisting me to overcome work related challenges, Thank You. Tom will be missed.

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Moe Ledoux

January 20, 2022 at 10:17 pm

This is sad news. Tom will be greatly missed by the Marshall Soaring Club as a friend, a skilled pilot and his unique mechanical knowledge. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Elaine, and your family.

Reply

George Lockwood

January 20, 2022 at 10:36 pm

Tom took me on my first sailplane ride in 2013 and, over the years since, gently and patiently mentored me along to my first solo flights. Through discovering and participating together in more and more shared interests (radio control planes, tractors, barns, chainsaws, lathes) and sharing many plane and car trips between Kalamazoo and Marshal he became a dear and trusted friend. His knowledge of flying and all things mechanical was amazing and a delight to behold. He has always been a go to person for me and the soaring club when we had a problem to solve and was always generous with his time, wisdom and extensive knowledge. I am so grateful to have been able to get to know him. His absence leaves a hole in my life. I am so sorry for the loss you are all facing.

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Mike Mehler

January 21, 2022 at 6:55 pm

Tom was an amazing guy! I had the pleasure of working for him for many years at Parker. Tom was the kind of boss who really appreciated his employees. Every pay day as he handed me my pay check, he would reach out, shake my hand and thank me for my weeks work!

Many years ago Tom & I traveled together to Italy, though it was a business trip, Tom’s easy nature made it seem as though we were just a couple friends working together by day and taking in all the sightseeing venues in the evenings & weekends. Our friendship continued even after he retired from Parker. Tom shared his passion for flying with everyone he met! I, along with each of my four kids had the honor of sitting next to Tom as his ‘copilot’.

Tom was my boss first, my mentor second and will remain my dear friend forever! I will miss him & his trusted friendship. We were supposed to have lunch together last Saturday, but he called to cancel as he wasn’t feeling well~ Life is busy, make time for those important to you while you still can.

To Elaine ~ Our family is so sorry for your loss~ each one of us holds a special memory of Tom close to our hearts. If you need anything, please reach out.

~ Mike Mehler

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Sherry Hurlbut

January 21, 2022 at 8:37 pm

Dear Elaine, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of Tom! He was a very good guy. Don always mentioned that he enjoyed working with Tom at Parker Hannifin and we both saw him when he came to the monthly breakfast at Judy’s Restaurant. I understand how hard this will be for you, Elaine. I send my love and prayers for you!

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Ted Vernon

January 21, 2022 at 9:58 pm

I met Tom when I was a vendor to Parker Hannifan. He was always pleasant, knowledgeable about a variety of subjects, and friendly. After he retired we would meet every few years for lunch before Christmas. My favorite memory was back around 2007 when I was at Bronners in Frankenmuth with my wife and brother and sister-in-law. I heard someone say “hi Ted” it was Tom and his wife. The two had flown in for the day! My sincere condolences to the family.

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John Hutchinson

January 21, 2022 at 10:38 pm

Sorry to hear about Tom. He was a brilliant engineer, and had a wonderful sense of humor. I enjoyed working with him at Parker, he always had a great solution for every complex problem.

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Sandy and Dan Fleming

January 21, 2022 at 10:43 pm

So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. My husband Dan and I worked with Tom at Parker. We want to extend our deepest and most sincere sympathy to his wife and family. Tom will be missed by so many.

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Dave Grimm

January 21, 2022 at 10:53 pm

I worked with and for Tom in several different capacities for about 20 of my 45 years at Parker. He was, as several have mentioned, good man to work for an a great mentor. I also remember our wide ranging conversations about flying, teaching , Vietnam, manufacturing in general and many other things, the last of which occurred in the parking lot of Meijers about 2 years ago. I will miss him and offer his family my deepest condolences.

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Wanda Wagers

January 22, 2022 at 9:13 am

My heart and prayers are with you all!! Lean on God, family and friends. I will be there for you at anytime. Love you!!❤

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Anil Verma

January 22, 2022 at 11:30 am

Tom was such an inspiration for me both professionally at Parker and personally through our shared love of aviation. My favorite memory of Tom was the time he took me flying and performed a roll, we were actually upside down for a bit. May your soul forever soar above the clouds.

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Sandy Fleming

January 22, 2022 at 3:39 pm

Dan and I just returned home after attending services for Tom and his dear friend Chris Malley presented a wonderful tribute to his dear friend. It was very touching and Tom was truly and inspiration to so many and a mentor as well. Tom will be missed by so many of his family and friends Tom was such a great many. Rest in Peace Tom

Reply

Mike and Coleen Blowers

January 23, 2022 at 12:34 pm

Dear Elaine and family,

Our sincere condolences at the loss of your dear husband, Tom.

Mike and Coleen Blowers

Reply

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