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HONOR-Reverend Thomas "Tom" LeRoy Maher, 85, died Friday, November 30, 2018, at Munson Medical Center, in Traverse City. He was born August 12, 1933, in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of Roy and Martha (McVeigh) Maher.
He fell in love with the Bible and learned to exposit and teach it. He received his undergraduate education at Covenant College, in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and at Reformed Episcopal Seminary, in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. His education with a Master of Theology Degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wayne, Pennsylvania. He served as Pastor at Bible Baptist Church in Landsdowne, Pennsylvania, and at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, before moving to Honor, Michigan, where he served as Pastor of Honor Congregational Church for 26 years.
Tom was an avid runner. He loved to learn everything from woodworking, making small cars and trucks in his small woodshop, to carpentry for working on his house. Even so, he only knew reality as a dim reflection, which is really like all of us. We only catch a glimpse of the wonder that surrounds us...the best of us search for the wonder in the world and cherish it when we can capture enough of it to take our breath away. On the morning of November 30, Tom has had his breath truly taken away. He is no longer a dim perceiver, he has learned, in full, the wonder of creation. He finally sees in full, knows in full.
On June 13, 1959, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, in Red Hill, Pennsylvania, Tom married Adele Poweleit who survives him. He is also survived by: his children, Kelly (Tony) McDiarmid, of Kingsley and Michael (Petrina) Maher, of Notasulga, Alabama; his grandchildren, Sam Cady, Ethan Cady, Megan (Davis) Vail, Rae Anne Maher, and Aiden Maher; his great-granddaughter, Skye Vail; his step-grandchildren, Samantha, Michael, and Zachary McDiarmid; his church family; and many dear friends.
Tom was preceded in death by: his parents; and his brothers, Stanley and William Slootmaker.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Honor Congregational Church, in Honor, with Michael Maher officiating.
The Bennett-Barz Funeral Home, in Beulah, is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Reverend Maher married my husband I in 1980. He was wonderful man. So sorry for your loss. Jean and Mark Szuch
Jean Szuch
Acquaintance
December 8, 2018
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Grace Blood
Friend
December 5, 2018
it's times like this when we feel so far away (in FL). We want to express our sincere sympathies to you, Adele and to Michael and Kelly. May God bless you with comfort and peace. Our Love to you. Jim and Myrna
Myrna Mallison
Friend
December 5, 2018
My deepest sympathy to the Maher family. I was fortunate to have Rev. Maher as my pastor in my youth.
Renee DeRemer
Friend
December 3, 2018
Sorry to hear of Rev Mahers passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Unable ro attend this service as we are in Florida. Please know we send our love to all. We will certainly miss seeing him out riding his bicycle keeping himself active.
Betty and Dick Robotham
Neighbor
December 3, 2018
Nicole
December 3, 2018
I've been blessed and forever grateful to have known Tom (and Adele) for over 24 years. I have considered them like family and they have always treated me as such. Tom was my pastor, spiritual counselor, mentor, and dear friend. He helped me through every important event in my adult life. I appreciated his faithfulness to the Lord, a deep knowledge of scripture, his compassionate and practical advice-always positive and encouraging, the ability to effectively teach and preach, and his remarkable "off the cuff" wit and humor. After Tom retired from the pulpit I always told him his second profession should have been a stand up comedian-but he always said it couldn't be forced-it just came in the spur of the moment! In these last couple years especially, Tom was so looking forward to "going home", and even though I am sad and will miss him greatly, I am celebrating that he's now with Jesus.
Trisha Morse
Friend
December 3, 2018
So sorry to hear about the loss of Rev. Maher. You are all in my thoughts.
Holly Ely-Nabity
Acquaintance
December 3, 2018
there are not enough words to say what a truly honest, faithful and wonderful person Tom was. His legacy in the Honor area will live on....a good friend to all who knew him and laughed at his sense of humor. My thoughts are with you all.
jeffie lynch-jones
Neighbor
December 3, 2018
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Funeral services provided by:
Bennett-Barz Funeral Home - Beulah1417 US 31 (Beulah Highway), Beulah, MI 49617
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