Thomas C. Bunker

Thomas C. Bunker, 42 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Monday, July 17, 2017.

Born in Grayling on December 16, 1974, Tom was the son of David and Rita (Goosen) Bunker.  The youngest of ten children, Tom grew up in Vanderbilt with his three brothers and six sisters.  He was a 1993 graduate of Vanderbilt High School and later attended Delta Community College in Saginaw where he studied law enforcement.

Tom worked in Vanderbilt at the family sawmill, David Bunker and Sons, before joining the Otsego County Sheriff Department in 2002 where he served as a corrections officer for more than 15 years.

On October 10, 2009 Tom and his wife, Elaine (Dobrzelewski) were married at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Elmira.

His faith was an important part of his life.  In his youth, he attended Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Vanderbilt where he was an altar server.  In recent years, he enjoyed attending St. Thomas Catholic Church in Elmira and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Tom loved his family and they loved him, he looked forward to family gatherings of any kind.  He will be remembered for his ability to always look at the positive and to find the good in others.  Tom enjoyed helping others, especially those he encountered in his work, many who later thanked him for helping them turn their lives around.

He enjoyed hunting and salmon fishing, annual trips to the upper peninsula and occasionally visiting area casinos.  He was also a sports fan who especially followed the University of Michigan, Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Tom is survived by his wife, Elaine; his son, Thomas Austin Bunker of Boyne Falls; his parents, David and Rita Bunker of Vanderbilt; sisters, Marycatherine (William) Washburn of Gaylord, Roseann (Alvin) Sitkiewicz of Vanderbilt, Annmarie (James) Sitkewicz of Midland, Diana (Marvin) Weber of Vanderbilt and Idamary Smith of Vanderbilt; brothers, James (Catherine) Bunker, Daniel (Donna) Bunker and David (Tina) Bunker all of Vanderbilt; his mother-in-law, Marlene Dobrzelewski of Gaylord; sister-in-law, Rosanne (Greg) Sevenski of Traverse City; brothers-in-law, Mitchell (Martha) Dobrzelewski of Lansing, Gregory (Chris) Dobrzelewski of Vanderbilt and Ryan (Kelly) Dobrzelewski of Gaylord; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by a sister, Maryrita Catherine Bunker and his father-in-law, Robert Dobrzelewski.

Tom’s family will visit with friends from 3:00-8:00 PM Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service where a rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM Friday, July 21, 2017 at St. Mary Cathedral where visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to St. Thomas Catholic Church.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com