Robert D. Thomas

Dodgeville – Robert D. "Bob" Thomas, age 88, of Dodgeville, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017 at Bloomfield Healthcare & Rehab Center. He was born on May 16, 1928 in Dodgeville, the son of the late Willie H. and Emily (Jones) Thomas. He graduated from Dodgeville High School in 1945 and served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53. On August 27, 1955, he married Twila Helgeson. Bob took great interest in local government. He served as Ridgeway Town Chairman for 32 years, Iowa County Towns Association and as a Director of the Wisconsin Towns Association for 16 years. He was a 50 years member of Dodgeville Masonic Lodge, Past Patron of Eastern Star and a member of Mounds View Shrine. When Bob retired from farming, he built and operated Tom's Campground in Dodgeville, where he enjoyed meeting and visiting with campers from all over. As a member of the tourist business, he served as a Director of the Hidden Valley Association. Robert is survived by his wife Twila; his six children Mary (Jeff) Rohlinger of Fitchburg and their 2 children Spencer and Sterling; David Thomas of Blanchardville and Cindy Halma Thomas of Dodgeville and their children Dylan, Dalton and Dakota; Sarah (Mark) Weier of Dodgeville and their children Carl, Jillian and Tony; Joe (Diane) Thomas of Dodgeville and their children Hannah, Kyle, Josiah and his daughter, Olivia and Allison (Kyle) Spease and their son, Clark; Nancy (David) Bradshaw of Oakdale, MN and their sons Will and Robert (Shakira); Katie (Pat) Ihm of Dodgeville and their children Emily (Nic) Kuehneman and their daughter Elsie, CJ and Ted; his sister Lois (Bob) Knudson of Mineral Point; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill (Gladys) Thomas, Gordon Thomas and Spencer Thomas. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in Ridgeway. Rev. Jim Droste will officiate. Burial will be held in East Side Cemetery in Dodgeville with Military Graveside Rites accorded by the Ridgeway American Legion. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville where a Masonic Service will be held at 8:00 p.m. under the auspices of the Dodgeville Masonic Lodge No. 119 and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Bloomfield Healthcare Center or The Masonic Dyslexia Fund.

Robert D. Thomas

May 16, 1928 - January 16, 2017