Eric Tooman, 60, of Allegan passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife, Jill and sister, Leigh by his side.

Eric was born on May 27, 1964 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the son of Les and Nan Tooman.  He was raised in Allegan, Michigan and enjoyed spending hours upon hours outside.  During his childhood, he loved to be at Miner Lake and would water ski with his brothers and friends all day whenever he could.  Since he was the first child and first cousin born, he was affectionately known as the 'fun guy' growing up and led all the other kids on one adventure after another.  As an adult, he loved to teach his nephews and nieces the fine art of fishing and would patiently bait their hooks while they 'just missed' landing the big one.

On May 24, 1997, Eric was united in marriage to Jill Vittone in Wakefield, Michigan.  They purchased the family cottage on Miner Lake which had held so many dear memories for Eric growing up, and started their new adventure as husband and wife.

Eric's Ann Arbor roots explain his love of University of Michigan sports.  He enjoyed going to the Big House whenever he could and even attended the Rose Bowl on several occasions to cheer them on including the 1997 National Championship.  He also loved Michigan basketball and attended home games, Big Ten tournaments, the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight.

Eric was very creative and he attended Kendall School of Design in Grand Rapids to achieve his degree in Furniture Design.  This led to his work at Hamilton Farm Bureau designing houses, including his own.  In his spare time, he enjoyed photography, woodworking and fishing.

Surviving are his wife, Jill, his father, Les Tooman (Anne), brothers Craig Tooman (Erika) and Steve Tooman (Tracy) and sister, Leigh Tooman, several very special nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Eric was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Nan, and grandparents, Horace and Madeline Horton and Chester Tooman.

The family will hold a private memorial at a later date.

Memorials can be made to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, which is a local nonprofit conservation organization, via their website swmlc.org (donate to memorial link).