Earl Lawrence Tomsa

Earl Lawrence Tomsa, 84, of South Haven died Saturday, May 1 at South Haven Community Hospital.

He was born March 25, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois to Lawrence Carl and Lillian Elizabeth (Stapleton) Tomsa. Earl graduated from Covert High School in 1945. While in High school he played on the football and basketball teams. Earl married Eleanor Shugars on October 27, 1945 at the Salem Lutheran Church in Coloma, Michigan. Earl worked for Everett Piano Company for 25 years, while at Everett’s Earl also worked for Sollict Farms. He then worked at the Golden Brown Bakery for 14 years until his retirement. Earl was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of South Haven. Earl was the 4-H leader for the Geneva Wrens. He taught woodworking, gun safety and horses. Earl was a long time member of the VanBuren County Fair Board.

He is preceded in death along with his parents by two sisters – Marcella Roe and Barbara Tomsa.

He is survived by his wife – Eleanor Tomsa of South Haven, Michigan. Two sons – Kenneth E. Tomsa of South Haven, Michigan and Randy J. (Eve) Tomsa of Deale, Maryland. Three daughters – Earlene (Eugene)Skinner, Sharon Bloodworth and Pam (Charles) Berndt all of South Haven, Michigan. Thirteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6-8 on Friday, May 7 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Clint Rogas officiating. Burial will take place at North Shore Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul Lutheran School. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.