Dr. Thomas D. Yonkers

Dr. Thomas D. Yonkers, age 64 of Delton, died Tuesday January 22, 2008 at his residence after a long courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born October 23, 1943 in Lake Odessa, Michigan, the son of Lester and Virginia (Goodsell) Yonkers. Tom graduated from Lake Odessa High School in 1961. He continued his education at Michigan State University where he received his Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Fisheries and Wildlife. He taught for 5 years at Sunfield Elementary School. He then went back to Michigan State University and in 1974 graduated with a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine Degree. Tom was in private practice for 3 years prior to going to Upjohn/Pharmacia in Kalamazoo , where he worked from 1978 until his retirement in 2002. He married Terri K. Clarke March 31, 2000. He was an avid outdoors man where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and farming. Tom attended Thornapple Valley Church, he was a member of the Barry County Sheriffs Posse, the NRA, Christian Veterinary Mission, and Barry / Michigan Right To Life. He was Preceded in death by his niece, Angie Coates/ McDirmid. He is survived by his wife, Terri Yonkers of Delton, his children, Chris (Kari) Yonkers of Hastings, Taleese Yonkers of Santa Cruz Cal., Trena (Kevin) Yonkers-Talz of El Salvador , Matthew Yonkers, at home, Amy Koopman, Ann Koopman both of Lansing, Joe Koopman at home, 8 grandchildren, Anna, Christian, Isaac, Lydia, and Levi Yonkers, Sophia, Grace, and Hannah Yonkers - Talz, his parents, Lester and Virginia Yonkers of Lake Odessa, 2 sisters, Kay (Gary) Coates, Judy (George) Johnson, a brother Jerry (Jan) Yonkers, many adoring nieces and nephews, cousins,as well as many family members in Minnesota and many friends. Visitation will be held Thursday from 6-8pm and 1hr prior to service at Thornapple Valley Church on Hwy M43. Funeral services will be held Friday January 25, 2008 at 3:00pm at the Thornapple Valley Church. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or Charity of One's Choice. Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneralhome.net).