Age 92, Tom passed away on September 3, 2022. He was born in Worton, MD,  son of the late Roger J. and Ula M. (Armstrong) Ivens. In 1945, his family moved to Kalamazoo, and Tom graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1947. After graduation, he went to work for the Sutherland Paper Company and in 1993 retired after forty-six years of dedicated service. On August 27, 1949, he married the love of his life Ardis (Munson) Ivens. Together they worked hard to provide a secure and loving home for their children.  He was a tireless, selfless and very much-loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who always put the needs of others before his own. There was never a job too big or too small for Tom. He built and remodeled homes, fixed anything with a motor; and crafted “lightening bug cages” for each of his grandchildren.  If he didn’t immediately know how to do something, he would study it until he figured it out. Along with Ardis, his wife of 73 years, he is survived by three children: Gayle (Vince) Penar, Thomas (Bonnie) Ivens, Ronald (Christine) Ivens; nine grandchildren: Stephanie Dunnick, Angela Griffin, Jack Griffin, Rodney Ivens, Tori Monroe, Mandy Slusher, Melissa Snyder, Shaina Ivens and Joshua Ivens; and twenty great-grandchildren (with two more on the way).  He is also survived by sisters Ellen Havens, Cissy DeHaan and sister-in-law Liddy Ivens; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.  Tom was preceded in passing by his parents, two brothers Elmer and Alvin Ivens; mother and father-in-law, Helen and (Harry) Vernon Munson and several brothers and sisters-in-law. In the final months of his life, Tom came to have a very close bond with his nephew, Doug Ivens, who was an unwavering help and an understanding and patient presence in his life. We have lost the physical presence of a treasured man here on earth, but there is no doubt that Heaven has been saving a place for his soul; a place where his mind can again be healed and he will be peacefully and lovingly smiling down on us forever.