Rev. John D. Tomlonson passed away Saturday morning, January 21, 2023 following a fall. He was the son of Eugene Guy Tomlonson and Ethel Sadie Schreck Tomlonson Rupel. His wife of of 63 years, Veva Mae Crumrine Tomlonson passed away in 2014.
John is survived by two children; Mark (Karen) Tomlonson of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Jan (Floyd) Drexler of Keystone, South Dakota. Also surviving: two sisters, Martha Kuiper of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Nancy (Wayne) Yoder of Goshen, along with a brother, James (Mary Windsor) Tomlonson of Raymone, Missouri. Another sister, Waneta (Francis) Bundy, precedes him in death. He is survived by six grandchildren; Anna (Andrew Wickenden) Tomlonson of Climax, Michigan, Erin Mae Tomlonson of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Jacob (Katie) Drexler of Burlington, Iowa, Carrie (Josh) Orr of Rapid City, South Dakota, Benjamin (Heather) Drexler of Rochester, Minnesota and Michael Drexler of Rapid City, South Dakota; one great-grandaughter, Brooklyn Clemmons of Berea, Kentucky; and numerous nieces and nephews.
John grew up in northern Elkhart County. The oldest of five children, he often made toys for his younger brother and sisters as they were growing up.
John graduated from Bristol High School in 1947. He attended Manchester College (now Manchester University) from 1947 until 1951. It was there he met Veva. The two of them were married August 20, 1950.
John was ordained into ministry at the former Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Middlebury on August 27, 1950. He attended Bethany Seminary in Chicago from1951 to 1953. He served churches in Carrington, North Dakota, Metamora, Ohio, and Bellefontaine, Ohio. He was called to pastor in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1962, where he became the first pastor of Skyridge Church, serving there 22 years.
He also served in regional administrative positions for the Church of the Brethren in Michigan and Kansas. After retirement, he served as interim pastor at the Goshen City Church of the Brethren, as well as churches in York, Pennsylvania and Elgin, Illinois.
A life long lover of classical music, (but especially Chopin), his strong tenor voice graced several area choirs. One of the highlights of his life was singing Handel's Messiah along with Veva while they were students at Manchester.
John enjoyed wildflower photography, bottle collecting, travel and genealogy, publishing a book on the history of the Tomlonson family. His woodworking skills won him several ribbons at the Elkhart County Fair.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced. Preferred memorials are to the Goshen City Church of the Brethren or Manchester University.
Family Members
Parents
Guy Eugene Tomlonson
1902–1951
Ethel Sadie Sherck Tomlonson Rupel
1903–1992
Spouse
Veva May Crumrine Tomlonson
1929–2014 (m. 1950)
Siblings
Waneta Sue Tomlonson Bundy
1937–2017
