Lowell Thomas “Tom” Schweyer

Lowell Thomas “Tom” Schweyer, 85, of Onaway, died Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Tom was born in Detroit, August 15, 1937 to Andrew and Marion (Caldwell) Schweyer and attended St. Rita Catholic School. He took a gap year to explore the Finger Lakes in New York before joining the United States Navy in 1956, serving four years as a radio operator. He met his beloved wife, Loretta Belisle, through mutual friends while roller-skating and were married June 27, 1964 at St. James Catholic Church in Ferndale.

Tom earned his bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in library science from Wayne State University and began a long career as a librarian with the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

He first served at the Lagrange-Central branch and started one of the first community gardens in Toledo, Ohio. Due to a lawsuit in Toledo surrounding inmate rights, Tom spearheaded the Toledo-Lucas County corrections library program and helped to grow it from a book cart to a full library. 

During his tenure, he shared his love for books as well as championing the arts and education and advocating for the rights of his patrons.

Tom and Lori spent 57 wonderful years together prior to her death April 17, 2022. They started their retirement in 2001 and spent almost 20 fun and friend-filled winters at Orange Harbor in Fort Myers, Florida. 

He was an avid outdoorsman and loved all Michigan sports. He shared his passion for hunting, fishing and the outdoors with his children, grandchildren and as a Boy Scouts’ leader.

Tom is now reunited with his wife and his quiet, gentle and

kind presence will be missed by their children, Mark of Portola, California, Matt (Zana) of Bluffton, Ohio, Marcy Gifford of Columbus, Ohio, Ed of Onaway and Amy (Tim) Stacy of Toledo, Ohio; grandchildren, Nasry, Amir, Camila, Ashley, Nicki, Sean (Molly), Ethan (Caitlyn), Sam, Dylan, Taylor (Joe), Chase and Kendra; great-grandchildren, Jameson, Jack, Max and Quinton; and his beloved dog, Pepper. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Andrew (survived by wife Pat), Billy and Sharron; son-in-law, Tim Gifford; and grandsons, Benjamin and Nathanial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Presque Isle District Library – Onaway Friends of the Library, P.O. Box 742, 20774 State St., Onaway, MI 49765 or The Michael J. Fox Foundation.