Thomas R. Rishel, 70, Avid Outdoorsman

He was born in Morgantown West Virginia on April 9, 1953 and had been a resident of Ohio since childhood.

Tom was employed as a forklift operator for General Motors Corporation; he began his career at the Fischer-Guide Division in Elyria and subsequently transferred to the Brookpark Production Facility. A long-time member of United Autoworkers Local 1009, he retired following a career that spanned 44 � years with the automaker.

Tom’s favorite thing in life was the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. Regarded as an avid outdoorsman, he possessed a passion for both hunting and camping. He also had a love for frogs and spent a significant amount of his free time tinkering with a variety of projects including building, painting and decorating bird houses and other yard ornaments.

Survivors include his son Marc Ellis (Shellie) of Lagrange, and daughters Billie Edgell (Chris) and Kathi Rishel (Allison) both of Lorain, and Stephanie Rishel of Stow. Additional survivors include thirteen grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and siblings Bill Rishel (Patty), Alicia Stetz, Adrian “Buddy” Adams (Caroline), Becky Adams and Joe Takacs (Doug) all of Lorain along with Billy Ray Hart (Debbie) of South Amherst.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Natalie (nee Chinn) in 2008, father Adrian W. Adams, mother Marian Y Adams (nee Leach) sister Rose Link, and brother George Adams.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel -3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral chapel. Reverend Laurie Miller, Pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will take place in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

Contributions in Tom’s memory are encouraged to the Lorain County Kennel - 301 Hadaway Court – Elyria, OH 44035.

To share your memories and condolences with the Rishel Family, please visit www.gluvnashimohromada.com.