Tom Rissman, 66

Thomas Rissman, 66, of Bronson, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at St. Mary of Assumption Church in Bronson, with Pastor Terry Siler and Steven Ivaska officiating. Interment will follow at Bronson Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, at Dutcher-Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson.

Tom was born July 5, 1947, in Coldwater, to Thomas and Thelma (Piatt) Rissman. He graduated from Bronson High School in 1965 and from Ferris State College in 1969 with a degree in accounting. He had formerly married Betty Hawley and later married Betty D. Clark on May 17, 1986, in Bronson.

Mr. Rissman began his career at Lear Seigler in Mendon before becoming self-employed. He bought and combined several local accounting and insurance offices to form Bronson Business Service Accounting and Insurance, which he operated until his retirement in 2010.

Tom was very active in his community. He spent many dedicated years as a volunteer firefighter with the Bronson Fire Department and had served on many boards, including the Bronson School Board, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis and the Community Foundation. He was very proud to be trained and certified as an EMT and of the fact he had delivered his youngest son. Mr. Rissman was a member of the First Congregational Church, where he also served as a board member as well as the Bronson Rural Fire Association. He was a 20-year member of Bronson Rotary Club. Since 1987 he has sat on the city council and currently has served as Bronson city mayor since 2003.

Tom was an avid U-M football fan and also the Detroit Tigers and Lions. He enjoyed fishing in Canada, playing golf and traveling with his family, especially to the Smoky Mountains. Tom took great pride in his children and grandchildren and loved watching them play baseball, football and run track and cross country.

In addition to his wife Betty, he is survived by his children, Alicia and John Cole of Bronson, Matthew and Kristy Rissman of Bronson, Nichole Stine of Battle Creek, Adam and Emily Rissman of Bronson, and Brent and Ashley Rissman of Bronson; his grandchildren, Karah, Dilan and Emily Rissman, Payton, Carter and Kennedy Stine, Aiden and Liam Rissman, Baby Rissman, and Scott (Samantha) and Chelsi Cole; his great-grandson Elliot Cole; his sister, Particia and Steven Ivaska of Peoria, Ill.; his brothers-in-law Bob (Diann) Clark of Quincy and Bill Clark of Coldwater; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Thelma Rissman; his brother, Steven Rissman; and his grandparents, Otto and Jeanne Rissman and Henry and Bessie Piatt.

Memorial donations may be directed to Bronson Fire Department or Bronson Rotary Club for a memorial of Tom in Memorial Park.