All Obituaries

Thomas Gene Downing age 84 of Marion, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the American House in Petoskey after a brave 20-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Tom was born in Mt. Pleasant, MI on October 21, 1939 to Maynard and Ruth (Neebes) Downing, from there he moved to Marion as a young boy.

He lived in Marion almost his entire life, graduating from Marion High School in the class of 1957 and it was there he met the love of his life, Mary. Tom served in the Army from 1963-1965 during the Vietnam conflict, after that he enjoyed a 40 plus years sales career as Parts Manager with Bontekoe International Trucks of Marion and then Wieland Truck and Trailer of Clare. Tom also served as the Marion Township Clerk for over 40 years. Despite his rural location, he was the recipient of many nationwide sales awards while with Bontekoe and won trips for him and Mary to Miami, FL, Honolulu, HI, and Acapulco, Mexico among other places. He thoroughly enjoyed his work career and the relationships he made through it. Tom was a Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers fan, even when it wasn’t popular to be.

Tom is survived by his daughter Suzanne (David) Sipe of Petoskey and their son Tucker, son Mark (Stephanie) Downing of Marion and their children; Tommy, Taylor, Skylaar and Devynn, brothers Ronald (Rachel) Downing of Venice, FL and John (Mary) Downing of Marion, in-laws; George (June) Boyd of Mancelona and Linda Baughan of Marion, as well as many special nieces and nephews

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, wife of 55 years Mary Katherine (Boyd) Downing in 2018, and brother and sister- in-law Lonnie and Betsy (Boyd) Baughan.[SS1]

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the United Methodist Church of Marion with Rev. Jim Mort officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church, with a luncheon taking place immediately following the service. Burial will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery of Marion. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The family is being served by the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain, thoughts and prayers can be expressed by visiting the online obituary at burkholderfamilyfuneralhome.com

[SS1]David and Volo were my mom’s parents - I thought they are listed, but now I think not. Please just remove their names.