Thomas Dale McDonald

     Thomas Dale "Tom" McDonald, age 72, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Corewell Health- Butterworth Campus, Grand Rapids, MI. 

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Ithaca, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, June 17, 2024, with Rev. Fr. Edwin Dwyer presiding. Burial will take place at Payne Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 16, 2024 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held the day of the funeral from 10am until the time of the service at the church. 

     Tom was born in Mt. Pleasant, MI on May 7, 1952, the son of James Frances and Leona June (Reed) McDonald. Tom graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School with the class of 1970. He went on to MSU for Electrical Technology graduating in 1972. Tom married Kathy Wood on October 2, 1976 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Ithaca.

     Tom was an electrician and worked for Bovee Electric after graduation until Jerry's retirement. He continued on with Pyramid Control and worked with them until 2016. Tom began driving milk truck when he was 18 for Syl Wieferich. Tom and his brother Mark bought the route 41 years ago and they still own and operate the business. He also loved helping Mark on his farm doing whatever needed to be done. Tom was very dedicated to his work. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Ithaca Lions Club. 

     He is survived by his wife Kathryn McDonald, daughter Jillane and Chris Sandro, son Matthew and Rena McDonald, grandchildren: Lane McDonald, Carter "CJ" Sandro, Allison "Alli" Sandro, Lewis "Lewie" McDonald, and Taylor Sandro. He is also survived by his sister Rose and Mark Ludtke, brother Mark and Amy McDonald, sister in law Diane McDonald, brother in law Kendall "Ken" Wood, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ronald McDonald.

    Memorials may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Ithaca, MI or Ithaca FFA c/o Ithaca High School. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.