| Thomas L. Finkler
Thomas L. Finkler, age 58, died on Tuesday, March 21, 2006, at HospiceCare surrounded by his family. Born on Dec. 17, 1947, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Alexandria (Miller) Finkler. Tom grew up in Kenosha and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1966. Tom served in the Air Force from 1969 to 1972 and was stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam as an Air Cargo Specialist. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, he started a 30-year career with Oscar Mayer Kraft Foods in Madison. On Sept. 19, 1987, at Sacred Heart Church in Des Moines, Iowa, he married Sherry K. Terrell. His career with Oscar Mayer moved him back to Madison where in 1996 he earned his master's degree from Edgewood College. Tom was a member of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, Air Force Association, C-7A Caribou Association, and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Over the years Tom enjoyed volunteering with a number of community organizations, such as the Salvation Army and United Way. One of his most treasured volunteer activities with his wife was as a member of the Warbird Welcoming Crew at the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. His love of airplanes and respect for those who fought for our freedom drew him to also be a crew member of the B-17 Flying Fortress Tour coordinated through the EAA. Tom also enjoyed hunting, playing volleyball, attending Badgers football games, traveling, and spending time on his farm. Tom will be remembered for his sense of humor, caring nature, honesty, integrity, wisdom, patience, willingness to always help others, and his unique way of telling stories. Tom also showed his family and friends what it meant to truly "never grow up." He is loved and survived by his wife, Sherry; two children, Larry (Jennifer) and Roberta Finkler of Kenosha; three sisters, Florence and Frances Finkler of Kenosha, and Helen Finkler of Deerfield, Ill.; a grandchild, Josiah Thomas Finkler; a sister-in-law, Terri (Jamie) Miller of Des Moines, Iowa; and many beloved friends. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Alexandria. A visitation was held on Thursday, March 23, 2006, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at TUSCHEN-NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, 302 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, March 24, 2006, at 11 a.m. at SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 227 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, with Father Michael Radowicz presiding. Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oshkosh. As requested by Tom, memorial remembrances may be sent to HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711; or the Young Eagles program of the Experimental Aircraft Association, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903. |
