Thomas O'Connor

Thomas P. O'Connor, age 89, of Greenville, died Thursday morning, Jan. 8, 2009 at Metron of Greenville. The son of Edmond & Honora (Stutt) OConnor, he was born on Feb. 6, 1919 in Fowler. A decorated veteran of World War II, Tom served with the U.S. Army and fought in the African, Middle Eastern, and European theatres. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for showing courage and valor in combat. Tom was a member of both the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 and the Cleveland-Wolverton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3496, as well as St. Charles Catholic Church. On Aug. 17, 1946, in Belding, he married Donna G. Topper-Martin and they raised three children while Tom worked as a carpenter building homes, businesses, and churches throughout the area. Together, Tom and Donna enjoyed traveling which took them to 43 states, five Canadian provinces, and also Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Marcia Lynn Martin; three sisters, Ellen C. Smith, Mary Feuerstein, and Margaret Carr; and two brothers, William OConnor and Edmond OConnor, Jr.. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Donna OConnor of Greenville; three children, Leroy & Carole Martin of Belding, Dennis M. OConnor of New Mexico, and Judy OConnor of Greenville; four grandchildren, James Martin-Overcast, Thomas Martin-Overcast, Donna & Michael Isaacs, and Mac & Tricia OConnor; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009 at St. Charles Catholic Church, Greenville, with the Rev. Father Phil Salmonowicz presiding. Military honors will conclude the ceremonies and burial will take place privately at Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding. Visitation is Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where envelopes for memorial contributions to St. Charles Catholic Church will be available. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas O'Connor, please visit our flower store.