Thomas Maier was born with a complex heart defect that could not be corrected. The surgeon was not able to close the hole between his ventricles. His mom, Karin, knew eventually she’d care for her son as his heart failed, but what she didn’t expect was her son developing a brain abscess in his freshman year of college and passing away at just 18 years old. Now, as she mourns her son, Karin is finding hope in the Lord through her faith.

The Maiers were connected to Trinity through Thomas’ grandfather and Karin’s father-in-law, also named Thomas, who began coming to Trinity in 2010. It wasn’t a strong connection, Karin said, but her children, including Thomas and her daughter Abigail, were baptized in the church and family attended when they could.

“After Thomas passed away, it was all very different,” said Karin, who joined the choir at Trinity in Fall 2025 and hopes to continue this spring.

Thomas was born with the heart defect and while it certainly impacted his health, Karin said he never complained. In grade school, his doctor said he couldn’t go out for recess if the outside temperature was below 40 degrees. Karin said Thomas didn’t complain when he sat in the office while his classmates went outside. In 2020, he developed arthritis out of the blue. It was painful, but she said he never complained. She said he never complained about his crooked teeth or his bedroom that wasn’t decorated with the most up-to-date and modern decor. That was just his personality.

In fall 2024, his family was elated to move him into the residence halls of Adrian College. He had several years of decent health, Karin said, and he was looking forward to a normal college experience.

“He texted us at the end of October and said he had a headache for a few days,” Karin said, as she began to describe the last five weeks of her son’s life. An urgent care visit yielded no helpful results. A few days later, the headache was back and he wanted to go to the hospital.

Karin said her husband made the drive to Adrian and took her son to the hospital, where they treated him with a migraine cocktail and sent him on his way. The father and son got dinner, assuming the worst was behind them, before his dad, Jeff, headed home.

The very next morning, Thomas called for help again. Karin picked him up from Adrian and brought him home. He deteriorated enough that she decided to take him to the emergency room. Thomas was diagnosed with a brain abscess and transported to C.S. Mott Hospital in Ann Arbor. The doctors drained the abscess, but he experienced brain swelling and a week later he went into septic shock.

The hole in his heart led to a large infection in his brain.

Due to all of his complications, his cardiologist had to have a very tough discussion with Thomas.

“That’s when he decided to come home,” Karin said, through tears. “He knew what was coming. He came home on Dec. 11, 2024 and passed away on Dec. 12.”

However, for Karin, his death turned her to God, and God has provided her hope and reassurance.

“Thomas believed in God,” Karin said. In the final days of his life, she saw it most clearly. “In the hospital, one evening, my husband Jeff was in the room while the nurses were cleaning up Thomas. He was in so much pain that he started to recite the Lord’s Prayer.”

They weren’t regular church-goers, but she knew he believed and he was baptized--which gave her hope. Hope that continued to fill her even after he was gone.

“I like to sing. Thomas also liked to sing. I needed to do something and I wanted to contribute to the church, so I joined the choir,” Karin said. Not only does it remind her of her son, she’s able to praise God for the gifts in her life as part of the choir, something Karin said she hopes to continue.

Erica Batkins, Trinity’s Director of Worship and Music, said having Karin as part of the choir was inspiring, for two reasons.

“I’m blessed to know her, for sure, and I’m thankful to have her as part of the group—for her musical gifts, but a great testament and reminder of God’s love and faithfulness,” said Batkins. “Karin walks in His goodness every day--tall and strong.”

Karin said she feels peace, comfort and hope that Thomas is in Heaven and she will see him again.