Tom Veltum

Mr. Thomas C. Veltum, age 69, known to his friends as "Buck Wilderness" and "Father Tom", passed away Monday, May 5, 2014. He was born in Chicago, IL on February 7, 1945 to Clifford & Rose (Lojkovic) Veltum and married the former Florence Yedinak on September 8, 1990. Mr. Veltum had been employed as a machinist at Challenge Machinery for 32 years until 2003. Tom was an active blood donor for many years who loved the outdoors and spending time in the woods. SURVIVORS Wife of 24 years, Florence; son, Joshua Veltum of Grand Haven; daughters, Denise Mortenson of Chicago, Michelle (Jim) Beck of Grand Haven; stepchildren; Josie Sowa-Marsh of Nunica and Nathan (Amber) Sowa of Spring Lake; 13 grandchildren brother, Mike (Karen Barnes) Veltum of Chicago; sister, Laura (Tim) Hughes of WI. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Scott Thomas. MEMORIAL GATHERING AND OPEN HOUSE Thursday, May 8, 2014, 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM at 12317 124th Avenue, Grand Haven MI. MEMORIAL: To the family for funeral expenses.