Thomas Stigter, 68

Thomas W. Stigter, age 68, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, at Three Rivers Health.
Thomas was born Dec. 26, 1947, in Chicago, a son of the late Cornelius B. and Johanna M. (Putnam) Stigter.
Thomas grew up in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1966. He continued his education at Ferris State University, graduating in 1971 with his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.
He had worked for more than 40 years as pharmacy director at Ionia Hospital in Ionia.
He is survived by three sisters, Mary Westlund of Spring Hill, Fla., Johanna Jawor of Colon and Gloria (Harold) Gillespie of Manteno, Ill.; two brothers, Cornelius B. (Elizabeth) Stigter and Robert (Sharon) Stigter of Burr Oak; 11 nieces and nephews; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine Charnote.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Thomas W. Stigter will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at the funeral home, with the Rev. David J. Farrell officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon.
If desired, the family suggests memorials be made in memory of Thomas to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.