Born: May 12, 1945

Died: Nov. 5, 2012

Thomas Allen Driver, 67, of Berrien Springs, Mich., died at 6:28 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Mich., following an extended illness.

He was born on May 12, 1945 in Shelby County, Tennessee to Banny and Leona (Phillips) Driver.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Viet Nam and earning many service and campaign medals and citations, and was awarded the Purple Heart.  He was honorably discharged as a Veteran of the Viet Nam Era.

Tom was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4952 of Berrien Springs, Mich.  Post 4952 had recently assisted Tom with a new wheelchair ramp at his home, which was covered by an article in the Niles Daily Star on June 12, 2012.  He had been employed at area businesses as a security guard.

In 1972 in Shelby County he married the former Patricia M. McAffee with whom he celebrated the fortieth anniversary of their wedding this year.

Surviving family includes his wife, Patricia Driver; their children, Darrell (& Beth) Driver, serving in the U.S. Army in Belgium, Shannon (& Vance) Russell of Benton Harbor, Matthew (& Amber) Driver of Niles, and Tracy (& Lester) Mervine of Berrien Springs; 12 grandchildren; and Tom’s siblings, Donna (& Nick) Wenzel of Florida, Sharlie Driver of Shelby County, Terry (& Bill) Driver of New Mexico, and Buddy Driver and Melvin Driver, both of Shelby County.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and by six siblings.

Full Military Honors for Thomas Driver will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012 at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Mich.  The family will receive relatives and friends at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, Michigan on Monday from 4 until 6 p.m.  Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to any organization of the donor’s choice.