Munising

Thomas F. Killips, age 68, of Munising, died Monday, February 23, 2026 surrounded by his loving family at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin following a brief battle with cancer. He was born on October 1, 1957 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the fourth of seven children of Robert and Phyllis (Bray) Killips. Tom and his family moved to Munising his freshman year and he graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1975. Tom married Cindy Sadler on August 5, 1978 and together they raised their two children. In 1976 he was hired as a saw filer at CCI sawmill. In 1986 he was then hired at Kimberly Clark to work in the specialties department before moving to service operations and then to the storeroom until his retirement in 2016.

Tom was a talented woodworker and helped friends and family with a wide variety of projects. He was a master of many things and could fix and create just about anything. Tom loved going to Camp 100 Proof where many amazing family get-togethers and reunions were held. These parties could last from three to ten days, but Tom and his siblings worked all summer to make sure fun was had by all. Tom was an outdoorsman and loved ice-fishing on Trout Bay, being at Driggs Lake, bird hunting and golfing with friends. Tom was an amazing father and grandfather. He was always there to help, gave great advice, and supported his children and grandchildren in everything they did. Tom was a kind man who always put family first.

He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years – Cindy Killips; children – Scott Killips of Sault Ste. Marie and Valerie Lancour of Munising; grandchildren – Austin, Alivia, and Paige Killips and Branson Lancour; siblings – Bob, Jon (Nan), Tim, and Rod (Steph) Killips and Aileen (Rob) Livermore; mother-in-law – Peggy Sadler; brothers and sisters-in-law – Pat, Don, Ron (Julie), Chris (Joanne), and Shawn (Traci) Sadler; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his parents – Robert and Phyllis; sister – Eve Killips; sisters-in-law – Rose Killips and Becky Sadler.

Visitation will be at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Tom’s obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net.