Spellman, Thomas L.
April 4, 1921 - December 21, 2011
Hollandale - Thomas L. Spellman, age 90, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Ingleside in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. Tom was born in Waldwick Township on April 4, 1921, son of George A. and Clara (McGinnity) Spellman. He graduated from Hollandale High School in 1938, and University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1942. Tom served in the Army in the Pacific Theatre during WW II. Upon his return, he started teaching Agriculture at Ithaca High School in Richland County. Tom married Mary R. Regan of Hollandale on August 6, 1947 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. In 1951, they began their career in farming outside Hollandale, later moving to the Spellman homestead in 1955. They continued to reside at the farm after retiring in 1986.
Tom served on the Waldwick Town Board, the Hollandale school board, American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed bowling, his Northern Wisconsin hunting trips, card parties and his grandchildren’s activities.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Mary on August 24, 2006. He is survived by his seven children, Leo (Janayne) Spellman and Raymond (Wendy) Spellman, both of Darlington, Mary Jane (Mark) Williams, of Brookfield, Patty (Jim) Syse, of Blanchardville, Joseph (Brenda) Spellman, of Kingston, TN, Beverly (Scott) Schofield, of Parker, CO, and Gene (Vicki) Spellman, of Mount Horeb; 20 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; two sister-in-laws Marguerite Bernards of Madison, and Teresa (Charles) Burke of New Glarus, along with many nieces, nephews and friends. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Loueta Dobson and Margaret Fass, and two brothers, Lloyd (Bud) and William.
The family would like to thank all of the staff of Ingleside in Mount Horeb for their loving care. Tom will long be remembered for his quiet strength and gentle humor. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend to us all. He will be missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2011 at ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Hollandale. Fr. Thomas Gillespie will officiate. Burial will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites accorded by the Hollandale American Legion. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass on Friday at ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Hollandale.
