Tom Bilisko

Thomas (Tom) V. Bilisko, 65, of Benton Harbor, departed this life on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, after a short battle with cancer. His life will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, January 12, 2008, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Tom was born on July 15, 1942, at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor, MI. He graduated from St. Johns High School in 1960. He worked for Gast Manufacturing for 31 years prior to his retirement. Tom was an avid sports fan and actively participated in his son’s sporting activities. Some of his fondest memories were created while coaching his son’s baseball teams. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed gardening, caring for his yard, and grilling out on his deck. Tom found joy in visiting with his friends and neighbors and was always there to lend a helping hand. Tom is survived by his wife, Valerie Joy of Benton Harbor, MI; sons William (Kelly) Bilisko and Dr. Thomas (Cindy) Bilisko, grandchildren Joshua and Abby Bilisko, all of Grand Rapids, MI; sister Joyce Wyatt of Howard, OH; brother-in-law Brian (Vicki) Baker of Benton Harbor and Richard Barger of Edwardsburg, MI. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Bernice Bilisko and by his sister Laurane Litral.