Thomas Adent

Thomas "Tom" Adent, 82, of Three Oaks passed away on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at St. Joseph Health System in Mishawaka, Ind.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 3903 Lake St., Bridgman, MI 49106, with Father Arthur Howard officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery in Bridgman. Friends may visit with the family from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the National Young Farmers Coalition. Those wishing to share a memory of Tom online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Thomas was born on April 20, 1940, in Benton Harbor, to Alex and Olga (Jaskiewicz) Adent.

He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1958.

Tom served his country in the U.S. Army.

On Jan. 22, 1966, he married Marilyn Rush in Chicago.

Tom took great pride in his family, faith and operating his farm. He was a member of the Three Oaks American Legion and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Tom loved both family and farming. While traveling the world with Michigan State University to learn farming techniques, he became inspired to purchase a larger farm in Three Oaks to grow apples, peaches and grapes. His knowing the local farming community and their families built a strong bond in the community.

He and Marilyn raised six unique children, supporting them in their individual pursuits. This led to more travel from Michigan to China, Philippines, Spain, Hungary, Palm Springs and even the Gulf Coast of Alabama to spend two months each winter. At each spot he enjoyed time with children and grandchildren. Those activities included fishing, hunting and sight-seeing. No day was complete without a glass of good whiskey, conversation and a cigar.

Thomas is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Adent; children: John (Hannah) Adent, Michelle Dilley, Tom (Lori) Adent II, David (Jennifer) Adent and Patrick (John) Adent; grandchildren: August Adent, Thomas Adent III, Sarah Adent, Joshua Adent, Matthew Adent, Michael Adent, Jacob Adent, Christopher Adent, Suzanne Adent, Alexandria Dilley, Trevor Dilley, Gabrielle Dilley and Sophia Dilley; and sisters: Lillian Simko and Joan Ziebarth.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jennifer Adent; brother, Richard Adent; and son-in-law, Bob Dilley.