It is with profound sorrow that we share the news of the sudden passing of Thomas E. Spike on January 6, 2026. Tom was born March 4, 1947, to Cyril and Myra Oulmann Spike in Owosso, Michigan.

He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Dairy Science from Michigan State University in 1969 and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois in 1973.

After graduating, Tom devoted 15 years of his life to Spike Farms, an award-winning dairy farm in Michigan, before becoming an esteemed global research scientist with the Elanco Animal Health division of Eli Lilly in Greenfield, Indiana. He was a 4-H Dairy Club leader for many years, a talented woodworker, a skilled baker and candy maker, a man who could fix or repair anything, a wonderful father and grandfather, devoted husband and mentor.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Edith (Bill) Kettler and Patricia (John) Talsma.

He leaves behind his cherished wife of 53 years, Barbara Flack Spike; four children, Jennifer Kohn, Jessica (Darren) Gravelle, Ben (Ananda) Spike, and Hillary (Dustin) Close; five grandchildren, Miles and Mason Gravelle, Sawyer Kohn, Henry and Harper Close; sister, Diann Jenkins; brothers, Richard (Madelon) Spike and William (Deb) Spike; many nieces and nephews.

No formal funeral service will be held. A Celebration of Life for this extraordinary man will be announced in the spring at the residence, Ivy Manor, Cambridge City, Indiana.

Friends may consider contributions to 4-H at in4h.org, mi4hfdtn.org or Western Wayne Dollars for Scholars westernwayne.dollarsforscholars.org.

Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home has been entrusted with Tom's arrangements.