Thomas J. Wasmer, 55, passed away in the early morning hours on Wednesday, February 2 surrounded by the loving hands of family and God at his bedside in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN.
Tom fought a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. His persistent, positive attitude carried him through every step of his life, a life that ended with eternal peace and comfort. For all those who new Tom, they sensed the presence of his love of friends, love of family and love of his career. Tom had a natural, warm and caring approach to all that he did. When meeting strangers, he engaged them into conversation and friendship. His wisdom, humor and confidence inspired those he loved, those he worked with, and those who careed for him in his final days. His family and friends should feel proud of such a life, so complete.
Tom was a father, grandfather and brother. He was the youngest of eight children born to Francis and Eileen (Richards) Wasmer. Tom grew up on the family farm in central Illinois where he was introduced to farming, home building, carpentry and hunting. This is what cultivated the foundation he built his life on.
Tom was employed by AM General where his career spanned over 37 years. Getting his start as a production employee, Tom continued to advance within the company and held various management positions. Throughout his career, Tom''s dedication and commitment to his job was evident as he accepted assignments wherever the company needed him most. In addition to working at AM General''s facilities in Northern Indiana, Tom also spent several years working for AM General in Marshall, TX and Livonia, MI.
Since 2009, Tom held the position of Director, Resident Engineering and Program Manager. In this role, Tom led the resident engineering team at the company''s Mishawaka facility as a key liaison of integrating product improvements into the manufacturing process. In addition, Tom provided a critical interface between AM General and the U.S. Army''s program office in supporting AM General''s military vehicle operations.
He is survived by three children, Aaron Wasmer of Mishawaka, April (William) Bryce of Mishawaka, and Aydin (Cassie) Wasmer of Athens, AL; eight grandchildren and his mother, Eileen Wasmer of Watseka, IL. He is also survived by three sisters, Elaine Bull of Gilman, IL, Madonna (Thomas) Finney of Killeen, TX, and Louise (Dennis) Conrad of Danforth, IL; two brothers, Raymond (Cheryl) Wasmer of Mishawaka and Richard (Debra) Wasmer of South Bend, as well as a sister-in-law, Lori Wasmer of Granger, Carol Roman and Brandon Roman of Granger, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, brother, Philip Wasmer, sister, Joan Goben; brothers-in-law William Goben and Cecil Bull.
Tom''s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the loving hands that comforted him with dignity and respect at Memorial Hospital. Deepest thanks to the nurses and staff at Michiana Health and Rehabilitation Center who helped assist and care for Tom over the past several weeks.
Visitation will be held from 2:00-6:00 pm, Sunday, February 6, in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola, IN. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, February 7, in the funeral home with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Pastor Pat Somers of Evangel Heights United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to support the "Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids" at: www.tobaccofreekids.org, the "American Cancer Society" at: www.cancer.orgor to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

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