Tommy Olmstead, 89, of Coldwater, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Grand Vista Assisted
Living.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in
Coldwater with Pastors David Pierce and Bob Ward officiating. A private family burial will follow at Oak
Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 3-8:00 PM at Dutcher
Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Tommy was born July 31, 1930 in Angola, IN to Walter & Margaret (Whitmer) Smith. She married Royce
A. Olmstead on October 24, 1948 in Coldwater. He preceded her in death on May 12, 2007.
Mrs. Olmstead worked for the Department of Social Services for 20 years. She was a very active
member of the First Baptist Church, serving in many capacities including Christian Education Director
and Sunday School teacher for over 50 years. Tommy spoke for many christian women’s clubs, women’s
retreats and mother/daughter banquets. She was a Bible teacher at the Branch County Jail, volunteer
Chaplain at Florence Crane women’s prison and was chosen Woman of the Year in 2018 by Power of the
Purse. Tommy’s passion was establishing “Tommy’s House”, a recovery facility for women who need
extra help in maintaining a sober life.
Tommy enjoyed sewing, knitting, reading and most of all baking cookies for EVERYONE. Her cookie
baking ended when she relocated to Grand Vista in 2016, leaving her home of over 50 years. Her
greatest joy came from her family, especially her many grand and great grandchildren.
Tommy is survived by her sons and daughters-in-love Michael (Deborah) Olmstead of Derby, KS, Steven
(Patty) Olmstead of Coldwater, David (LaDonia) Olmstead of Angola, IN, Jim (Kathy) Olmstead of Quincy,
Tom (Jody) Olmstead of Coldwater, her foster son Larry (Carla) Raymond of Glenwood Springs, CO, 12
grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she
was preceded in death by her sister Patricia Smith.
Memorials may be directed to Tommy’s House or Forgotten Man Ministries.
