Ishpeming – Thomas E. "Tom" Connors, age 75, of 851 Wabash St. Ishpeming passed away on Wednesday October 12, 2011 at the Bell Hospital in Ishpeming, following a lengthy illness.

Tom was born March 6, 1936 in Ishpeming the son of the late John and Kathryn (Winter) Connors. He was a graduate of the Negaunee High School, Class of 1954. Tom went on to attend Michigan Tech, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He was employed by Cleveland Cliffs as the Concentrator Superintendent at the Empire Mine and retired in 1994. He was a member of the Society of Mining Engineers. Tom was a force in his family's lives and will be greatly missed.


Survivors include his wife Sharon (Hendrickson) Connors whom he married on August 8, 1959, a son Gary Connors of Ishpeming along with his son David; a daughter Kirsten (Vince) Vilona of DeWitt, MI and their children Michael, Carolyn and Gina; a daughter Karen Taras and her daughters Alison and Emma; 3 sisters – Mary (Glen) Remmel of Brookfield, WI, Frances (David) Lukkarinen of Marshall, MN and Anne Connors of Negaunee; 2 step-brothers – Richard and Glenn Jackson along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Margaret Connors and a sister Kathryn Reeves.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10 until 11am on Saturday October 15, 2011 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. A memorial service will follow at 11:00am at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kenneth Lahners to officiate.

Tom's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.