Charles "Tom" Schriner, age 80 of Big Rapids, passed away Thursday, April 21, 2011 at his home. He was born February 4, 1931 in Defiance, Ohio the son of Victor and Wilhelmina (Weber) Schriner. Tom was honorably discharged from the United States Navy, serving during the Korean War. He married Theresa Minck on July 9, 1955. Tom was employed by the Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline Company. His job took him to Kankakee, Illinois where he was Operations Manager and his next promotion as Area Manager moved the family to Dodge City, KS. Tom retired while working in Dodge City, KS and moved back to Big Rapids to make his home on the Muskegon River. Tom was an active and devout member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids. He was a 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus. A talented woodworker, Tom made all the beautiful choir and alter chairs that are used at St. Mary's. He also made furniture for all his grandchildren and helped remodel all of his children's homes. Tom was a member of the V.F.W. of Defiance, OH, the American Legion Post #554 of Morley and the AmVets Post # 1941 of Big Rapids. He was also a member of the Michigan Chapter of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association whose chapter is helping to refurbish an original destroyer escort the "USS Slater" ; transforming this destroyer into a national museum was a yearly project that Tom's entire family participated in. Tom will be forever remembered as a wonderful and caring husband, father and grandfather. He truly enjoyed taking the time to watch his grandchildren play in any sporting event and was a dedicated spectator for the local Football and Basketball teams. Tom will be dearly missed by his entire family including his loving wife of over 55 years, Theresa Schriner of Big Rapids; 5 children Mark (Monica) Schriner of Big Rapids, Barbara (Edward) Schriner-Schmitt of Sturgeon Bay, WI, John (Catherine) Schriner of Marietta, OH, Diane Wolff of Benton, Kansas, Joseph (Heather) Schriner of Albuquerque, NM; 14 grandchildren; Thomas, William and Joseph Schriner-Schmitt; Emily, Jacob, Charles, Ryan, Neal, Alexander, Sarah, Reagan and Kirk Schriner and Bethany and Campbell Wolff; 2 brothers William Schriner of Mt. Morris, MI, John (Mary) Schriner of Defiance, OH; sister-in-law, Joan Schriner of Ridgeville Corners, OH and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents Tom was preceded in death by a brother Neal Schriner and a sister, Mary Catherine Badgley. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 26th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids with Father Lam T. Le officiating. The family will greet friends on Monday, April 25th at St Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a K of C Rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m. and a Vigil service at 7:30 p.m. The family will also greet friends one hour prior to mass at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Big Rapids under the auspices of the United States Navy. Memorial contributions in Tom's name may be made to either; St. Mary's School, St. Mary's Bell Tower Project or the USS Slater Hull Restoration Fund.