Thomas Watts Chrisman

Thomas W. Chrisman, Sr, age 74, beloved husband, father and grandfather, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 21, 2019 after a long struggle with cancer. Born in Grand Rapids on March 11, 1945 to Frank and Virginia Chrisman, he was raised on a farm outside of Wayland which is where he developed his life-long love for the outdoors. He went to a one-room school house for many years before graduating from Wayland High School. He married, raised a family and worked for many years in automotive manufacturing before retiring from Gill Industries in 2008.

Tom was an avid sportsman and loved to hunt, hike, bicycle and travel with his wife of 17 years, Jeanne. Together, they biked in 26 states and went on many biking and hiking trips with their friends, the Mixed Nuts. Tom was a member of the Rockford Sportsman's Club, where he taught Hunters Safety and ran sight-in-days for many years. Tom loved the Lord, his church and the GIR class which he considered his second family.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Frank Chrisman Jr. and stepson, Joseph Trzybinski. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; children, Tom (Kelly) Chrisman, Jr., Terry (Rob) Glenn, and Troy Chrisman; stepchildren, Nancy (Ruggs) Cote, Ryan (Michelle) Trzybinski and Holly (Mike) Sheldon; 11 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren and 9 Step Grandchildren; siblings, Etta (Ben) Lewis, Steve (Judy) Chrisman and Deb Chrisman; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Tom will be on Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will continue the next day starting at 10 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. at Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525. Please make donations to the Calvary Church Benevolence Fund or Camp Beechpoint.