Thomas W. Schmitz Sr.

Thomas W. Schmitz, Sr., age 83, of Beaver Dam, died on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. The memorial gathering will be on Monday, March 5, 2018 at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 6:00 p.m. Private inurnment will be a Highland Memory Gardens in the Town of Trenton, Dodge County, Wisconsin. Thomas William Schmitz was born on May 23, 1934 in Chippewa County, Wisconsin to John F. and Rachel (Harbough) Schmitz. Tom was united in marriage with Dorothy L. Radant in Augusta, Georgia on August 24, 1957. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Tom worked for 35 years at Monarch Range as a grinder and after it closed, he worked for Kirsh Foundry for 10 years, retiring in 1996. For the past 22 years, Tom and Dorothy enjoyed spending their winters in Arizona where they made many friends. He was an auto enthusiast and enjoyed tinkering, repairing, and polishing cars. Tom was a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish. Tom is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Beaver Dam; children, Thomas (Susan Marshall) Schmitz of Martinsville, VA and Lorrie (John) Schoenberger of Beaver Dam; three grandchildren, Lauren (Matt) Steed of Africa, Lindsey Schoenberger of Fox Lake, and Justin Schoenberger (Kassie Peterson) of Beaver Dam; two great grandchildren, Evelyn and Adelaide Steed; sisters and brother, Joan Farrington, Mildred Cook, Patricia McKinster and John Schmitz, all of Arizona; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Arlene Marthaler of Beaver Dam, Jerry and Margaret Radant of OR, and Kaye Radant of TX; nieces and nephews; other relatives; many friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bob Schmitz; and one sister, Isabelle Walker. The family wishes to thank all the doctors and nurses at the Beaver Dam Oncology Department and Hillside Hospice, especially Valerie, Jana and Lisa, for their love and care that was given to Tom. Also, a special thank you to our neighbors on East Circle Drive, especially Wayne and Kathy Gibbs, for their friendship over the years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Katharine Drexel Parish or to a charity of one’s choice.