Thomas B. LaBelle

Thomas B. LaBelle passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on December 19, 2024, after a long and well-lived life. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 1 PM on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 5191 Richfield Rd., Flint, MI 48506; Rev. Father Roy Horning celebrant. The family will welcome visitors from 4-7 PM on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at Allen Funeral Home, 9136 Davison Rd., Davison, MI 48423. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the Mass on Monday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church beginning at 12 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Medical Team Hospice, in Thomas' memory.
He was born on November 20, 1932, to Treffle LaBelle and Alma (Mondoux) LaBelle in Glens Falls, NY. The youngest of seven children, Tom spent his childhood enjoying the beautiful outdoors of upstate New York with siblings, cousins and friends, and attending the local Catholic school there. He could happily recall tales of adventures, mischief, and even a few particular nuns. While still a teenager, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and went on to serve his country in the Korean War. He fought courageously alongside his new "brothers", earning several medals including the Purple Heart.
Following his time in the Army, Tom moved to Flint, Michigan, hoping to find work in the booming automobile industry and began his work career in 1953 at the Buick Motor Division. Over his more than thirty years there, he continued to advance and grow, eventually becoming a foreman, supervising and positively impacting many workers. Tom always demanded a lot from his workers, but he was fair and honest and led by example. He retired from Buick in 1987, to begin a long and happy time spent traveling with family and friends, golfing, fishing and hunting, camping with his family, as well as woodworking and just puttering around the home and garden.
As successful as he was in his work life, Tom was most proud of, and will be especially remembered for his loving devotion to his family. On August 6, 1955, he was united in marriage to his life-time sweetheart, Elaine D. Kady of Davison, MI. Together they would go on to celebrate 69 loving years of marriage, raising five blessed children with care and devotion. Tom was a faithful and loving husband, a wonderful and always present father, and an adored Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His greatest joy was time spent surrounded by his large family, and so many happy memories were made during his long and special life.
Tom leaves behind, to celebrate his life and cherish the memories, his wife Elaine; son, Kurt (Amy) LaBelle of Oscoda, MI; daughters: Janis Wells of Bridgeport, MI, Lisa (Steve) Tharp of Battle Creek, MI, Diane (Dave) Muchler of Plymouth, MI and Karen (Tim) Kern of Mosheim, TN; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Treffle and Alma, and stepfather Glen Manier; brothers: Lawrence, Roland, Robert, Donald and Ernest, as well as their spouses; his sister, Jean Varney and her husband; stepbrother, Glen (Sonny) Manier and his wife. During his life, Tom also mourned the loss of still-born twin daughters and much loved sons-in-law.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Taylor Lodge for their continuous care and comfort.