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Thomas Allers

November 20, 1987 - May 31, 2011
Plainwell, MI

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Service

Thursday, June 9, 2011
11:00 AM EDT
Plainwell High School Auditorium
684 Starr Road
Plainwell, MI 49088

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Memorial Fund - 1st Comm. Fed. Credit Union
825 Michigan M89
Plainwell, MI 49080

Checks made out to: Memorial Fund for Thomas Allers

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Plainwell Flowers
117 S. Main
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-8055
Driving Directions
Web Site

River Rose
(269) 692-3951

Life Story / Obituary


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Although the days of Thomas Allers measured far too few, his impact was as significant as many who are given several decades in which to make their mark. Life is never easy and it certainly is not fair either, but when we remember Tom we remember that the sacrifice he made was done fighting for our Country and our freedom. He was a young man of honor who was well mannered and did his best to bring happiness to those around him. Even though he was someone who worked hard, Tom played hard, too, and loved making music on his guitar. With what would seem to be a long life ahead, his song was silenced much too soon.

The eighties were a vibrant time in America as we were going places we had never been before. Personal computers became staples in homes, schools, and workplaces and with things like camcorders, video games, and cassette tape players, technology was booming. Within this decade was the year 1987 that boasted of the population of the world that reached five billion, and a rare earthquake that rocked the Midwest and parts of Canada. This was an unforgettable year for one young couple from Plainwell, Michigan, since they were pleased to announce the healthy birth of a baby boy. Thomas was welcomed into the arms of his loving parents, Lance and Denise (VanAtter) Allers, and was their only child. His parents had met while they were both working at Burger King and although his mother was raised in Plainwell, his father was raised all over as a military kid. By the time Tom was born his father was working for Murco while his mother worked in the onion fields.

During Tom’s younger years his family moved around quite a bit, but they finally planted roots in Plainwell by the time he was in elementary school. Tom attended school in Plainwell where he played in the middle school band. As a student at Plainwell High School, he played both football and basketball.

In many ways, Tom experienced a childhood not unlike many other young people of his generation. The Allers family didn’t travel much, but Tom did enjoy their trips to Lake Michigan, to Michigan Adventure, and regular visits to the zoo. There was also a memorable family vacation to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. They liked spending time doing simple things as a family whether it was going out for ice cream or shopping for CDs, and these sorts of things suited Tom just fine. He loved the times he went fishing with his father with his favorite place being on Crooked Lake in Delton as well as ice fishing on Pine Lake.

After graduating from high school in 2006, Tom took some classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He also worked with his father at E & B Machine Shop for one year before becoming a manager at Joe’s Pizza in Plainwell. With his free time Tom could sometimes be found jamming with the band he formed with a couple of his friends. He was a fantastic guitar player who viewed the day he got his guitar, the Christmas he turned 14, as one of the best days of his life. With a special place in his heart for animals, Tom and his family had many cats and dogs through the years. A little more than one year ago Tom showed up with a pit bull and just stood in the front door, wondering if his parents approved of the newest addition to the family. Tom was thrilled that they welcomed the new puppy that became known as Roxy.

With a desire to make a difference in the world, Tom enlisted in the Army in April of 2010. He was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia for his basic training and was so proud to make it through the program. Not long after, Tom was stationed in Hawaii and then sent to Afghanistan where he was killed in action having earned the rank of Private First Class. During his service in the Army, Tom earned a National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat & Special Skills Badge The Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge Bar Rifle Expert, and an Overseas Service Bar. For his sacrifice, Tom was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge, as well as a Bronze Star Medal.

In everything he did, Thomas Allers was a joy to be around. He had a great sense of humor and liked to joke around. He loved to pick on people, but it was all in fun as his family and friends knew that it was only out of love for them that he liked to get them going. No matter what life brought him, Tom had a positive attitude and never let things get him down. Life will never be the same without Tom here, but everyone who knew him will be forever changed for the better because he was a part of their lives. He will be deeply missed while his memory remains forever near and dear to the hearts of his loved ones.

Thomas Allers died on May 23, 2011. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or sign the online guestbook.

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