Vernon James Tolsma

Vernon James Tolsma, age 45, of Groton, Connecticut, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 in Hastings, Michigan, after a long battle with cancer. He was born August 4, 1965 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of James Leonard and Elaine Helen (Kuhn) Tolsma. Vernon attended Grand Ledge High School, graduating in 1984. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy, retiring after 20 years of service in 2006. Vernon served in the US Naval Submarine Service in the Global War on Terrorism. He was stationed on seven US submarines during his career. Vernon was a member of Lakes Pond Baptist Church of Waterford, CT, the US Subvets organization and was a student at Three Rivers Community College in New London, CT.\r
Vernon is survived by his parents, James and Elaine Tolsma of Hastings, Michigan, sisters; Dawn (Tom) Hovie of Charlevoix, Michigan, Heather (Rick) Melkonian of Middleville, Michigan and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. \r
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 28, 2011 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Girrbach Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 29, 2011 at 11:00 am at Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings, Michigan. Pastor Douglas Meader of Lakes Pond Baptist Church of Waterford, CT will officiate the service. Burial will follow funeral services at Yankee Springs Cemetery, Middleville, Michigan with full Military Honors.\r
Memorial contributions may be made to Lakes Pond Baptist Church School, 1144 Hartford Rd., Waterford, CT 06385. \r
Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. Please visit our website to leave a message or memory to the family. www.girrbachfuneral home.net. \r