Thomas Andrew Kremhelmer

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Jean (Dunmyer) Kremhelmer; his parents; and his siblings, Betty, Teresa, Robert, Arthur, and Richard.

Tom met the love of his life, Mary Jean, when she was working as a fountain girl at a neighborhood drugstore and he would stop in after his shifts as a mechanic. Their chance meetings soon turned into a lifelong love story. They were married on November 26, 1955, and shared many wonderful years together until Mary Jean’s passing on August 27, 2000. Together they built a home filled with laughter, hard work, and deep devotion to family.

He is survived by his loving children: Dianne (Kitt) Mahaffy, Paul (Rita) Kremhelmer, and Mary Ellen Kremhelmer. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to Michele (Eric) Brinkert, Kiel (Abby) Mahaffy, Jenna (David) Serdena, Danielle Kremhelmer, Joshua (Helena) Kremhelmer, and Brandon Kremhelmer. He was also blessed with twelve great-grandchildren, each of whom brought him immense pride and joy.

Tom dedicated his career to handwork and craftsmanship. He worked at Bill Brown Ford as a mechanic for many years before working for MontgomeryWards department store in Livonia as a maintenance/mechanical engineer for ten years. Ultimately, he found his long-term professional home at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn Michigan where he worked for nearly 30 years until his retirement in 2001. Tom had a natural curiosity and gift of understanding how things worked, fixing the problem or making it better.

Born and raised in the Catholic faith, Tom was a longtime parishioner of St Valentine Catholic Church, where he remained devoted to his faith and community for many years.

Tom was known by family and friends as the ultimate handyman. If something was broken, he could fix it; and often improve it. He had a special passion for tuning up cars and making them run just right. Beyond his mechanical talents, he had a true green thumb and could grow just about anything. Gardening and small-scale farming brought him great satisfaction, as did woodworking projects crafted with patience and care.

He treasured camping trips with his family, creating memories around campfires and under open skies. He also enjoyed traveling with his siblings, sharing special trips to Las Vegas and Hawaii that became cherished family stories.

Above all, Tom will be remembered for his steady presence, his hardworking spirit, and the deep love he had for his family. His legacy lives on in the hands he taught to work, the gardens he nurtured, and the family he so dearly loved.

A Funeral Service will take place at 9:30 am on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152. Tom’s family will receive visitors at the Funeral Home on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and again on Friday from 9:00 am until the time of Service at 9:30 am. An Entombment will follow at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia.

Entombment will be at Parkview Memorial Cemetery, 34205 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154, US, on March 6, 2026, at 11:00 am.