Thomas J. Karkau of Otsego, Michgian, died Sunday, March 4, 2007 at Borgess Hospital. Tom was born April 14, 1929 in Lansing, Michigan to Emil and Eva Marie (Longacher) Karkau.
Tom was self employed in construction and built many Mobil and Shell gas stations all over Michigan. He was very artistic and good at repairing furniture, etc., enjoyed golf and bowling. Tom was an active member of the Otsego Moose Lodge, Legion of the Moose and also a member of the Otsego Elks. He was a member of the Michigan Army National Guard for over 20 years. After retirement Tom continued to remodel and paint homes for people in the Otsego area and in the Split Rail RV Park in Mission, TX.
On July 9, 1976 he married Martha Adams (Doubblestein) who survives. Also surviving are his children, Terri Karkau, Kristin (David) Goodman, Darl Doubblestein and Karen, Juanita (Doug) Hendrixson, Steven Doubblestein; 11grandchildren, Heidi, Britta, Meichen Plumhoff, Allison Goodman, Mellissa Porter, Adam Doubblestein, Timothy, Jason, Danielle Hendrixson, Tommy & Jennifer Doubblestein; many many great-grandchildren; his siblings, Robert (MaryLou) Karkau, Janice (Lawrence) Thompson, Ferne (Carl) Preston and Herbert (Liz) Karkau; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Doris (Fred) Sharp, and brothers Lawerence (Delores) Karkau, John “Joe” (Denelda) Karkau, Ralph “Rudy” Karkau, Brain Karkau and William (Desh) Karkau.
Friends may meet the family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday with a Moose Service at 7:30 P.M.at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Pastor Tim Secord officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Thomas may be made to the Heart Center of Kalamazoo or West Michigan Cancer Center.
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