Oct. 13, 1927 - April 26, 2010MISHAWAKA - Our beloved husband, father and grandfather went to be with his Lord on Monday morning, April 26th, at 5:30 a.m. He courageously battled cancer for 3.5 years and is finally without pain and suffering. Tom loved life. He was a great musician and in his younger days played guitar in a rock-and-roll band. He later loved bluegrass music and played in a bluegrass group, including playing various festivals around the area. He was also a very talented watercolor painter, songwriter and poet. He had strong political opinions and wrote to "Voice of the People" regularly. Tom was a Christian man who loved the Lord. He was a member of the Grace Brethren Church in Mishawaka. He served in the United States Navy from 1945-1948 and was a member of VFW Post #360. He loved to fish and spend time in his yard working on his pond or planting a tree or a bush. He loved his two dogs and wildlife. His most precious gifts were his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Joan and his children, Martha (Gus) Caparell of South Bend, Steven Powell of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Joni (David) Ray of Osceola, Scott (Cim) Powell of Portland, Tennessee, and Shawn (Jennifer) Powell of Edwardsburg, Michigan. He also had seven grandchildren, Kerri, Dylan, Holly, Evan, Conner, Aron and Madalyn; along with five great-grandchildren. Friends and family may gather in the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 North Main Street, Mishawaka, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. today. The funeral will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Davy Troxel. His final resting place will be Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola. The family wishes to ask that memorial contributions be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, The Mishawaka Grace Brethren Church or to Pet Refuge. Thank you to the South Bend Medical Foundation and Hospice for giving him such great care. Remember his great smile and send one back to him. He loved you all. God bless you all. His loving family