Thomas Kane Striffler

1952 - 2023  (71 years)

• Name	Thomas Kane Striffler  [1, 2]
  Birth	3 Jun 1952	Flint, Genesee County, Michigan   [1, 3]
  Gender	Male
  Death	27 Aug 2023	Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan
  Notes	Thomas K. Striffler of Caro, age 71, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at home, surrounded by the love of his family. Tom was born June 3, 1952 in Flint, the son of the late Delvin & Martha (Kane) Striffler. He was raised in a loving yet disciplined home in Caro and fondly remembered Sunday dinners with his grandparents and time spent helping his father at his car dealership. He graduated from Caro High School with the class of 1970 and later earned an engineering degree from General Motors Institute in Flint. While at GMI, he served in a co-op position with Saginaw Steering Gear, later called Delphi, in what would become a thirty-three year career with the company, retiring in 2003. He was united in marriage with Carol J. Paul on August 23, 1975 in Bay City and the couple has cherished forty-eight loving years together. Tom was a devoted Christian and practiced his faith by helping others. He followed a moral compass provided by the Lord's teachings and believed in doing what is right, even if it isn't popular. He was raised in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Caro and remained with the congregation when it merged to become the Caro United Methodist Church. He held countless positions within the church and was willing to do anything as long as it didn't involve preaching or singing. He served as a witness to the Lord's love throughout his life, even in his final days. Tom was a steadfast advocate and dedicated servant to the City of Caro. He cultivated a love for the community in others and exuded optimism about the potential of a small town if people simply came together with common purpose. He was instrumental in the development of the Chippewa Landing Park and the iconic bridge that spans the Cass River. Tom was Caro's first mayor following its transition to cityhood and was selected as the 2008 Caro Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He was also honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of Caro Schools, served as a board member of the Tuscola County Community Foundation, the Neal Sisters Foundation, and spent many years as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Caro. He was most proud of the family he and Carol created and was a constant support to his two children. He enjoyed coaching Little League when the kids were younger, and later softball with Caro High School. In retirement, he enjoyed the simple pleasures of watching his grandchildren and tending to his garden. Tom loved the peace of Lake Huron at his childhood cottage in Broken Rocks of Port Austin. It remained a sanctuary for him, reflecting the beauty of God's earth, and will continue to bless the family through future generations. Left to cherish Tom's memory are his wife, Carol; two children and their spouses, Christian & Sarah Striffler of Augusta, Bethany & Matt Kirk of Fairgrove; three grandchildren, Mia, Nolan, and Wesley; one sister and her husband, Sharon & Patrick Oriel of Glen Arbor; stepsister, Joann Tomlinson of Caro; many nieces, nephews, friends, and his beloved cocker spaniel, Buster. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his stepfather, Reid Thurston. In keeping with Tom's wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023 at the Caro United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert Demyanovich officiating. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Caro United Methodist Church, Tuscola County Community Foundation, or the Good Samaritan Fund. https://www.ransfordcollon.com/obituaries/Thomas-K-Striffler?obId=28827125
  Person ID	I29533	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	5 Nov 2024

  
  

  Father	Delvin Leonard Striffler,   b. 29 Jun 1915, Michigan d. 6 Sep 1967, Port Austin, Huron County, Michigan (Age 52 years)
  Mother	Martha Kane,   b. 14 Oct 1919, Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, Scotland d. 17 Oct 2014, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan (Age 95 years)
  Marriage	24 Jun 1944	Flint, Genesee County, Michigan   [4, 5]
  	Cass City Chronicle Friday, June 30, 1944 Pages One and Five Miss Kane Bride of Delvin Striffler Baskets of gladioli and delphinium decorated the Gospel Hall in Flint Saturday afternoon, June 24, when Miss Martha Kane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kane of Flint, was united in marriage with Mr. Delvin Striffler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon C. Striffler, of Cass City. Rev. Mr. Harper of New Jersey performed the ceremony at six o'clock, using the double ring service. Miss Isabell Dunning of Hamilton, Ont., attended the bride and Mr. Russell Striffler of Evanston, Ill,, performed the duties of best man for his brother. The dress of the bride was made with a white lace bodice and tulle skirt, long sleeves and sweetheart neckline. She wore a full-length white lace veil. Following the service, a reception was held at the Kane home. Mrs. Striffler has been employed as a stenographer at the Buick office in Flint. Mr. Striffler was graduated from Cass City high school in 1931 and from the General Motors Technical school in Flint in 1940. He has since been employed as a service engineer by Buick in different states. The young couple will make their home at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to which place the groom has been transferred. Those from Cass City who attended the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. S.C. Striffler, Mrs. Leonard Buehrly, Miss Elsie Buehrly and Bruce McRae. Forty relatives attended a reception Monday evening in the S.C. Striffler home honoring Mr. and Mrs. Delvin Striffler. During a short program, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Joos and Clark Helwig and Maurice Joose sand duets. Dickie Joos gave a solo and recitations were given by Judy and Billy Helwig and Esther Buehrly. Mrs. Joos supervised the giving of advice to the bride. After opening and admiring the gifts, refreshments of ice cream, cake, cookies and punch were served. Out-of-town guests at the reception besides the newlyweds were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kane of Flint and Miss Isabelle Dunning of Hamilton, Ont. (Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, February 2008)
  Family ID	F8096	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Living
  Children	1. Living   2. Living
  Family ID	F11275	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	23 Sep 2010

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 3 Jun 1952 - Flint, Genesee County, Michigan Death - 27 Aug 2023 - Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Sources

  [S595] Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, (Family Publication, published sporadically to record family milestones in connection with the annual Striffler-Benkelman Family Reunions, with Vol. 1, Number 1, published Sept. 7, 1936. Issues on file at the Rawson Memorial Library in Cass City, Michigan include Vol. 5 (1941), Vol. 7 (1944) and Volumes 8 (1945) through Vol. 28 (1968). Issues published from 1961 through 1964 were not assigned volume numbers, and 1963 appears to be missing. Xeroxes of the existing issues were also made by Melinda McLemore Strong in 2007. According to a article published by the Cass City Chronicle on August 6, 1981, commemorating the Fiftieth and Final Striffler-Benkelman Reunion, the final issue of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST appears to have been Volume 28, published in 1968.), Volume 15, September 1, 1952. (Reliability: 3). [S944] Striffler, Thomas Kane-Family Member (striff@centurytel.net), Email to Melinda Strong dated 9/22/2010 (Reliability: 3). [S944] Striffler, Thomas Kane-Family Member (striff@centurytel.net). [S595] Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, (Family Publication, published sporadically to record family milestones in connection with the annual Striffler-Benkelman Family Reunions, with Vol. 1, Number 1, published Sept. 7, 1936. Issues on file at the Rawson Memorial Library in Cass City, Michigan include Vol. 5 (1941), Vol. 7 (1944) and Volumes 8 (1945) through Vol. 28 (1968). Issues published from 1961 through 1964 were not assigned volume numbers, and 1963 appears to be missing. Xeroxes of the existing issues were also made by Melinda McLemore Strong in 2007. According to a article published by the Cass City Chronicle on August 6, 1981, commemorating the Fiftieth and Final Striffler-Benkelman Reunion, the final issue of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST appears to have been Volume 28, published in 1968.), Vol. 7, September 4, 1944 (Reliability: 3). [S653] Cass City Chronicle, P.O. Box 115, Cass City, Michigan 48726, Published continously since 1899, archived from 1899 through 2005 at http://newspapers.rawson.lib.mi.us/chronicle/, Friday, June 30, 1944 (Reliability: 3).