Proverbs 20.7 – The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. 

Jeremiah 17.7 – Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. 

Psalm 37.23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

Psalm 116.15 – Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful servant.

Our beloved father, Thomas Kerchenfaut of Portage, heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come to me.” on Thursday, August 6, 2026, and he followed Him home. Dad was blessed with 95 years on this earth, but his greatest blessing will be spending eternity in the glories of heaven worshiping Jesus forever and being reunited with mom, other friends and loved ones.

Tom was born on June 2, 1931, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Thomas William and Adeline (Bohne). He married Lucille Lee on June 17, 1956, in Gibson City, Illinois. His passing was preceded by his wife, his father, mother and one brother, David Kerchenfaut. He will be greatly missed by his daughters, Cindy (Donn) Stokes and Lisa Kerchenfaut and by his son Mark Kerchenfaut as well as his brother Clayton and sister Jillene (Blizzard), nieces, nephews and a large family of other friends and loved ones.

Our dad was a dedicated husband and father. He took the call to care for the needs of his family very seriously. We were never wealthy, but we had everything we needed and then some. All of us have a lifetime of treasured memories of time he spent with us. Our mom was the love of his life, and he showed that to her every day in a myriad of ways. They did everything together and had great fun doing it. He loved God and served in a variety of ways in the churches they were a part of; as a deacon, treasurer, and in any other way he was needed.

Dad was a proud veteran. He served in the United States Air Force from January 1950 to December 1953. He was stationed at Sampson AFB in New York, Ernest Harmon AFB in Newfoundland, and Edwards AFB in California. While serving, he specialized in motor vehicle maintenance including crash trucks. He worked as a small engine aircraft mechanic in several airports until he retired in the late 90s. After retirement, because he was valued for his years of experience, dad was asked to assist in the complete rebuild of a Ford Trimotor plane housed in the old paper mill in Vicksburg. He worked on that project for quite some time; he never really lost his love of airplanes.

We celebrate his life by remembering all the happy family times we spent camping, playing games, eating and reminiscing – all with much laughter. He loved to work with wood, and all of us have some special pieces that he made for us; they are even more special now. Dad was a role model for all who knew him because of his integrity, honesty, work ethic and professionalism. He passed on his love of nature, traveling, reading and devotion to family. We will all miss him, but he lives on in the people he helped us to become.

We love you dad. This isn’t goodbye; we will see you later when each of us takes that same final journey and are reunited in heaven.

Services for Thomas are to take place at Vicksburg Bible Church, 11988 S Sprinkle Rd, Vicksburg, MI 49097, on Friday, August 28th. Visitation is at 12PM with the Memorial Service following at 1PM and a luncheon immediately after the service.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Thomas's guestbook and/or share a memory with his family.

The family is being cared for by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. 269-649-1697.