Thomas E. Zinsmaster Obituary
A memorial visitation will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A memorial service to honor and celebrate Tom's life will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, beginning at 11:00 am. Private interment will be held at Mendon Cemetery.
Age 69, passed away peacefully at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo surrounded by loved ones. Tom was born in Sturgis, MI, the son of Phillip and Linda (Wilber) Zinsmaster. He grew up in the Village of Mendon which instilled in him a love of simple pleasures, open roads, summer sunsets, fishing rods, football and family. He graduated from Mendon High School Class of 1973, where he was an All-State athlete and helped the Hornets win a state football title his senior year. Tom had a great personality; was funny, genuine and to the point.
He made friends easily, remembered the importance of listening and was always able to laugh at himself. He was a hard worker from an early age. He retired from the Pfizer Company after many years of service. He was handy, very mechanical and rarely was his day not filled with some project for himself or for others. Besides his family, Tom's greatest loves were fishing and riding his motorcycle. He loved being on the water, especially at Pickerel Lake and fished professionally for a time. When the lake froze over, he turned to ice fishing to fulfill his passion.
Tom found solace and peace in the backroads of Michigan and took many memorable trips on his Victory motorcycle and made several friends along the roadway. He was a member of the Association of Recovering Motorcyclists. Through this brotherhood, faith in the Lord, and his own discipline, Tom was able to make a sobering life choice. He became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, where he eventually served as a mentor and sponsor, helping many others find their way to sobriety. He also held a special place in his heart for animals, caring deeply for his horses and pets.
Above all Tom loved his family! There is little to nothing he would not do for those he loved. He spent the later part of his years loving his significant other, Jonnie Banks, who remained by his side. Always the "big brother" he loved his sisters and made sure they knew it. He was a dedicated stepfather, step-grandfather, uncle, great-uncle and friend. To know Tom was to love him. His smile, laughter and strength will be missed. He leaves to cherish his memory a companion, Jonnie Banks; two sisters, Jackie (Robert) Baker, Wendy Zinsmaster; nieces and nephews, Rusty (Lori) Baker, Kylene (Dan) Adams, Abby Baker, Troy (Betsy) Huckendubler, Courtney Huckendubler, Joshua Himes; many great-nieces and nephews, stepchildren, Jaimie and Jason Hageman; step-grandchildren, Avery, Jackson and Jamison; extended family and friends.
He was also preceded in passing by a sister, Patricia Phelps.
