Thomas H. Cardinal

CADILLAC — Dr. Thomas H. Cardinal, 89, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, at his home in Cadillac. He was born in Cadillac on May 16, 1918, to Neal and Gladys (Kneeland) Cardinal. He married Margaret Krause on Nov. 4, 1944, in Carlsbad, N.M.

Thomas graduated from Cadillac High School in 1936, then worked for Cadillac Potato Growers and Kysor Heater before entering pre-med at Michigan State University.

He joined the Army Air Cops in 1942, training as a navigator. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to his pre-med studies at MSU, then went on to earn his medical degree from Marquette School of Medicine in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1951.

After his internship in Pontiac, Dr. Tom and his family returned to Cadillac in 1952, where he entered private practice. He became medical director for the Michigan Department of Public Health, serving Northwest Lower Michigan counties from 1971 until his retirement in 1982.

Tom had a lifelong enjoyment of reading and music, and was known for his beautifully handcrafted clocks and music boxes. He shared with his family and friends his love of canoeing a quiet river, wilderness camping, a pipe of good tobacco, his gentle sense of humor and warm conversations over a cup of coffee or bowl of ice cream.

He is survived by his daughters, Judith (Donovan) Everett, Barbara Cardinal (James Young) and Lauren Taylor, all of Cadillac; grandchildren, Stephanie (Nathan) Krings, Ryan Everett, Zachary, Jessica (Zak Bunce) and Joshua Taylor; great-granddaughter, Layla Rose; brother, Gaylor; sister-in-law, Magge Cardinal; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Monie; daughter, Nancy; brother, Neal; and sister, Margaret Heydenberk.

A memorial gathering for family and friends of Tom and Monie is planned for Saturday, Aug. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m., at 801 Lincoln Street in Cadillac.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful caregivers from Mercy Hospice. Those wishing to make a more lasting memorial may send contributions to Hospice or a charity of their choice.

Thomas was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church. Cremation has taken place and a private burial service will be held at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Arrangements are provided by Peterson's Funeral Home in Cadillac.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.