Thomas “Tom” John Assenmacher

Thomas “Tom” John Assenmacher, 78, of Ida, Michigan passed away on Monday, October 18th, 2021 surrounded by his family at his beloved farm after a 13-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Rosemary “Rosie” (Stotz) Assenmacher; four sons: Matthew (Lea), Andrew (Loyal), Nicholas (Elizabeth), Jordan (Tara); and soon-to-be seven grandchildren: Nicole, Nathaniel, Emmett, Rosalie, Amelia, Abel, and Thomas (coming this February). He is also survived by his siblings: Carol (Frank) Ronan, Janice (John) Lipford, Paul (Margie) Assenmacher, and Mark (Dorian) Assenmacher; mother-in-law, Donna (Woelmer) Stotz; brothers-in-law, Walter (Joan) Stotz, Stephen (Jeannette) Stotz, William (Dolores) Stotz, Richard (Lila) Stotz; sister-in-law, Kristine (Gene) Bogedain; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he cared for very much. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Margaret (Janssens) Assenmacher, and his father-in-law, Erhard Stotz.

Tom was born on March 3rd, 1943 in Monroe, Michigan, and was baptized at St. John’s Catholic Church in Monroe. As an adolescent, he loved boxing and baseball, and he continued to enjoy playing and watching various sports throughout his life. Tom participated in bowling, softball, and golf leagues until middle age; and continued to play handball leagues until much later. Some of his favorite childhood memories included working at his parent’s gas station and service garage, Frank and Bill’s, located on Telegraph in Monroe. This instilled in him a love of classic cars and he enjoyed working on them throughout his life.

He attended St. Mary Catholic Grade School and in 1961, Tom graduated from Catholic Central High School in Monroe, Michigan. After graduation, he briefly worked for Lazy Boy, Chrysler Motor Company, and Tecumseh Products prior to deciding to pursue further education. Over the next 13 years, he obtained business degrees from Cleary College, Eastern Michigan University, and the University of Michigan, while simultaneously working and raising a family.

He worked for over 50 years in the banking industry starting with First National Bank in 1969. Later with Farm Credit Services/Greenstone and finally Monroe Bank and Trust/First Merchants Bank, serving as a Vice President and commercial loan officer until his passing. He developed enduring friendships and relationships with his bank customers through the years, which he cherished.

Tom enjoyed serving the community as a Monroe County Fair Animal Auction Buyer on behalf of the banks that he worked at. He also served the community as a board member of Mercy Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees and the Monroe Health Ventures Board of Directors for 6 years, the Ida planning commission, and as a member of the Monroe Rotary Club.

Tom was a devoted husband to his wife, Rosie, whom he met at Green Meadows Golf Course (he was a terrible golfer). They married at East Ida Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1977. In 1980, they renovated an old farmhouse in Ida where they have resided together for over 40 years. Through the years, they raised four wonderful sons, various peculiar farm animals, and many cherished pets on their beloved funny farm, “The Assenmacher Zoo” while having a variety of classic cars and old tractors.

Tom was immensely proud of and dedicated to his family, which included not only his own children and grandchildren, but also his nieces, nephews, and “adopted” children from the community. He was a great father figure to all of them and was a strong advocate for their development and education regardless of the personal cost to himself. He took pride in the successes of his children and extended family as well as his bank customers and especially enjoyed helping young entrepreneurs and farmers to start their businesses and lives.

His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he often mentioned, and it showed throughout his life. He was dearly loved by his family, relatives, and friends and will be deeply missed.

The Family would like to thank Dr. T Kasunic, Dr. Steven Rubin, Dr. D Hickey, and Dr. Ronald Wainz for the care he received over the last several years and Northwest Ohio Hospice for their assistance in bringing Tom home.

Tom requested any donations in his name be directed to St Gabriel’s Catholic Parish, The Humane Society of Monroe, ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer, and The Prostate Cancer Foundation. There will be a visitation at Capaul Funeral home on Friday October 22, 2021 between 2pm and 8pm. He will lie in state on Saturday October 23, 2021, at St. Gabriel Catholic Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ida, Michigan from 10am Until the Mass of the Resurrection at 11am. Fr. Dan Ring will officiate. A celebration of life will occur following with family and friends. The family is requiring masks be worn at the viewing and strongly encourages masks be worn for guests of the church service.