Wednesday, November 12th, 2025
Tom Clay
Tom Clay, 86, Mendon, Ohio, crossed over from this life on November 11, 2025, at the Meadows of Kalida in Kalida, Ohio. He was born August 26, 1939, to Darrel W. and Alberta M. (Rider) Clay in their Mendon, Ohio home. He graduated from Mendon-Union High School in 1957. On October 7, 1961, he married Marcia Rosengarten of Celina. Together, they had two daughters, Pam and Shelly.
From an early age, Tom gravitated toward two great passions, cars and hunting. Both would bring him a lifetime of great joy.
He worked as a mechanic at Spriggs Oldsmobile in Celina, Ohio and Griggs Garage in Mendon, before purchasing the Archer and Thomas (A&T) Sohio service station in Mendon with his brother Jerry. For 34 years, Tom was proud to serve the area with reliable, high quality service at Clay Automotive.
Tom, too, loved dogs. He cherished the companionship of his childhood dog, Moxie, and his stable of black and tan coonhounds. He loved the challenge of the hunt. Training young pups to "tree" gave him endless satisfaction.
The true mark of a man, though, is how he uses his God-given freedom. Tom insisted on excellence in his professional and private life. The virtues of integrity, honesty and hard work defined his character. He prided himself on doing his very best. He was a man of his word, and instilled the pursuit of these ideals into his children.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Darrel and Alberta, his wife, Marcia, his second wife Marilyn (Harner), his close companion Mary Lou Buschor, his daughter Shelly Clay Bender, his brother Jerry and sister-in-law Sheryl Clay, brother-in-law Ronald Rosengarten, sister-in-law Shirley Haines, and son-in-law Jeff Lightle.
He is survived by daughter Pam Lightle and grandchildren Matthew Lightle, Sarah Lightle, and Gillian Bender.
He was a member of the Mt. Tabor Church of God, the American Black & Tan Coonhound Association, and former member of the Mendon-Union Recreation Association (MURA).
Visitation will be at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Mendon, from 10 - noon on Saturday, November 15, with services to follow at the funeral home. Pastor Darwin Dunten will officiate. Burial will take place immediately after at the Mendon Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may go to the Mt. Tabor Church of God or the Mendon Branch Library. Condolences can be expressed to Tom's family at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.
