Albert J. Thoms

Albert Julius Thoms was called home by our Savior on March 6, 2011 at Lakeview Extended Care and Rehab in Harbor Beach, MI. Born August 20, 1921, he was the son of Leo Albert Thoms and Clara Matilda (Bock) Thoms. Albert lived in the Port Hope area his entire life. He attended St. John`s Lutheran School through eighth grade and he graduated from Port Hope High School. He was a life long member of St. John`s Lutheran Church being a member of the choir for over 60 years. He was chairman of the congregation, secretary of the congregation, chairman of various building projects and elder. He married Doris Mabel Gover on December 6, 1947 in Detroit. They were blessed with six children: Carl (Colleen) Thoms of Bad Axe, Judy (Jim) Devereaux of Cadillac, Alan (Kathy) Thoms of Page AZ, Marlene (Ed) Tschirhart of Port Hope, Leo (Lynne) Thoms of Port Sanilac, and Shirley (Pele) Tautolo of Clinton Township. Doris preceded Albert to heaven on April 15, 1984. Even though one door was closed God opened another window and Albert married Dorothy (Erbisch) Stoeckle on 10-26-1985. Albert and Dorothy were each blessed to celebrate two 25th wedding anniversaries in their lifetime. He was blessed with adding three more children to his family: Sandra (Ernest) Schuette of Mason, Karen (Richard) Shuler of Lansing, and Warren (Jan) Stoeckle of Unionville. Albert lived out God`s instruction to serve and not be served with involvement on the Huron County Supervisors and Commissioners for thirty-three years, the Mental Health Board and the Harbor Beach Community Hospital Board. He was very progressive in his approach to planning for the health and welfare of county residents by helping establish the Huron County Mental Health Board, the Planning Commission, and the Thumb Area Transit Board to name a few. Albert`s favorite role was that of Grandpa to ALL his favorite grandchildren: Carla (Dave), Matthew Albert, Amanda and Sarah Thoms, Amy (Jeff), and Ryan (Diane) Devereaux, Jeffrey and Sandra Thoms, Michael and Joshua Tschirhart, Kathleen, Caroline and Patricia Thoms, Christine, Jeffrey, Samantha, Mabel, and Orihana Tautolo, Michael, Kristin and Eric (Sara) Schuette, Kathleen (Paul) and Kurt Shuler, Laura and Jessica Stoeckle. His new favorite role was Great-Grandpa to: Isabelle, Caleb, Audrey, Lily, Lucas Albert, and Abigail. He is survived by his sister-in-law Beverly Gover, his sister-in-law, everyone`s Aunt Marlene Gover and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Doris, his daughter Marlene, son-in-law Richard Shuler, his brothers Herbert, George, and Gilbert, his sister Laura, his brothers-in-law Edward Gover and Chester Alderman, and his sister-in-law Elizabeth (Gover) Alderman. He lived by example bringing Christ to others. The Funeral service will take place at St. John`s Lutheran Curch in Port Hope on Friday March 11, 2011 at 1pm. Pastor Gregory Eilers will be officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday March 10, 2011 from 2pm to9pm at Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Visitation will also be held from noon to1pm on March 11, 2011 at St. John`s Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John`s Lutheran School and the American Cancer Society.

Albert J. Thoms

August 20, 1921 - March 6, 2011