Born: April 4, 1943

Died: May 23, 2013

Thomas E. Crumet, 70, of Granger, Ind., and formerly of Niles, Mich., died at 12:23 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at the Hospice House in South Bend, Ind., following a brief illness.

He was born on April 4, 1943 in South Bend to Jacob E. and Florence E. (Shelley) Crumet, and was graduated from Washington Clay High School.  In 1961 he moved to Niles and began his career as a tool and die maker which included thirty-five years at R&M Manufacturing, retiring in 2009.  He moved to Granger in 2001.

Tom was a fan of sports, especially the teams of the University of Notre Dame, the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and NASCAR’s driver Mr. Bill Elliott.  He also enjoyed classic cars, working in his yard and in his woodworking shop; camping in Indiana, Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula; and auctions, antiques, and collecting Frankoma pottery.

He was first married on July 6, 1961 in South Bend to Lois Faye Rose who preceded him in death on March 4, 1989.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, James E. Crumet who died in 1956.

He was later married on October 14, 1989 in Niles to Carol S. (DePrato) Lacopo, who survives.  Also surviving are his children, Dianne M. (and Paul) Zielbauer of South Bend, and Tammy L. (and Mike) Zeigert of Niles; Carol’s children, Anthony R. Lacopo of Mishawaka, Indiana, Michael D. Lacopo of Granger, and Gregory A. Lacopo of Mishawaka; grandchildren, Mallory (and Jason) Kronewitter, Danielle Zeigert, Ashley Pointer, Nick Zeigert, Christine (and Mike) Swietlik, Andrew Zielbauer, Patrick (and Kalli) Zielbauer, Brianna Lacopo, and Madison Lacopo; great-grandchildren Mikey, Brayden, Max, and Zachary; and Tom’s sisters, Mary Anne Bennett of Osceola, Indiana and Karen (and Joe) Thayer of South Bend, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Thomas E. Crumet will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Monte A. Brunner of Hope Community Church in Niles officiating.  Committal services will follow at the Union Cemetery in Berrien Center, Michigan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com