Thomas M. "Tom" Forward

Thomas M. "Tom" Forward, 67 of East Leroy died at Bronson Battle Creek with his family at his side on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Tom was born August 21, 1950 in Battle Creek to Delbert James and Beatrice Bernadine (Bussis) Forward . He graduated from Harper Creek High School, served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves, retired from the Kellogg Company and was a former Calhoun County Deputy Sherriff.

Surviving are his sister, Linda A. Forward of East Lansing; brother, Edward M. (Linda M.) Forward of Ceresco; his nieces, Amy Forward of Scottsdale, AZ, Jenny (Andy) VanderLaan of Swartz Creek, MI; and three great nieces (The little ones in his life that Tom loved to spoil), Adelynn, Alexis and Alyssa VanderLaan.

Tom loved to raise and ride horses; to travel and hunt in Wyoming, Colorado and Canada and hunt deer in Michigan. Tom will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and for the love he showed his family and friends.

Friends will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care and the hour prior to services on Saturday. Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Gary Schooler 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Beatrice B. Forward Memorial Fund through the Battle Creek Community Foundation. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.