Thomas C. Mathieu Sr.

Thomas C. Mathieu, Sr., age 86, entered eternal life June 13, 2023. Born December 2, 1936, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to Clement and Florence (Ephgrave) Mathieu, he spent most of his entire life in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. He worked at Leitelt Iron works, was editor of the Grand Valley Labor News, and was Labor's Man of the Year in 1968. He accepted an opportunity to take the directorship of the West Side Complex and then three years later became Director of Community Development for the Kent County Community Action Program having oversight over all of the neighborhood centers in Kent County. In 1974, Mathieu ran for a seat in the Michigan Legislature. He prevailed in a contested primary and went on to upset the incumbent State Representative. He would go on to a 24-year career as a State Representative from the Grand Rapids area. He won 7 primary elections and 12 general elections during that time and left office undefeated when term limits took effect at the end of 1998. He authored many bills that are still law today, such as the Mathieu-Gast Home Improvement Act, the Home Heating Assistance Act, the Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps, the Long Term Care Ombudsman Act, and many others. He was known for his support of senior citizens and for colleges and universities. He was named Legislator of the Year several different times. Tom finished up his career with a seven-year stint as Director of the Michigan Association of Community Action Agencies, retiring in 2005. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Clement and Florence, siblings James and his wife Phyllis Mathieu, Mary (Thomas) Bliss and his son, Jeff Mathieu. He is survived by siblings Richard (Ingrid) Mathieu, Nancy (Art) DeCamp, Rose (Mark) Donker and Michael Mathieu, his former wife, Luan Dola, and their three children; Susan (James) Levandoski, Thomas, Jr. (Laurie), and Lori Mathieu. Three grandchildren; Kevin Levandoski, Lisa Taylor, and Amber Addington. His remaining decade was spent with his significant other, Shirley Bittenbender. His family will receive visitors Friday, June 23 from 6 – 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 24 from 10 – 11 a.m. at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Road NW. The funeral service will be held Saturday, June 24 at 11 a.m. at Arsulowicz. A Celebration of Life will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, 11 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Parking covered; lunch provided. Please bring stories to share in memory of Tom.

Tributes

Thomas C. Mathieu Sr.

December 2, 1936 - June 13, 2023