James “Jake” Tomsovic Sr., age 79, of Clintonville passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Cherry Meadows Hospice, Appleton.
James Edward Tomsovic was born on September 21, 1937 in Chicago, IL, to James and Rita (Miller) Tomsovic. In 1955 he graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago and entered the military. Jake served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Salisbury Sound until 1959. While in the service he was united in marriage on September 21, 1957 to Farol J. Hartung at St. Priscilla Catholic Church in Chicago. The couple lived in Wheeling, IL, in the 1960’s and by 1969 they moved north to Wisconsin settling in the Town of Dupont, Waupaca County. He began working as a welder in 1969 at Signode and then Rexnord/Nordberg Inc., both in Clintonville, until his retirement in 1997. During this same time, the couple owned and operated the Marion Liquor Store from 1983 – 1989. Jake & Farol moved to a hobby farm on County Road M in the Town of Grant, Shawano County, where they lived for 25 years until settling in Clintonville two years ago.
Jake is a former member of the Dupont Volunteer Fire Department and the Marion Lions Club. He enjoyed raising and taking care of his animals, working in the garden, and watching the birds. Jake spent his spare time building birdhouses and feeders, cheering on Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger football, and looking at the stars. He would always help out anyone in need and was a true handyman who could fix just about anything. His other interests included reading, mostly about history but he also liked to stay up-to-date with current events. Jake will be remembered most as a loving husband, dad, and grandpa who especially took delight in making special meals for his grandkids.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Farol; and six children, James (Susan) Tomsovic Jr. of Shiocton, Charles (Marge) Tomsovic of Omro, Barb Tomsovic of Clintonville, Joseph (Lynn) Tomsovic of Marion, Mary (Mike) Desrochers of Marion, and Carol (Ken) Lilly of Marion. There are 13 grandchildren, Becky (Dylan) Abler, Kayte (Joe) Goglio, Jenna (AJ) Wakeley, Matt (Amber) Tomsovic, Linsey Tomsovic, Casey Tomsovic, Chase Bossell, Chelsea Bossell, Victoria Lilly, Samantha Lilly, Jennifer Lilly, Tanya Kelly, and Brooke Johnson. There are 13 great grandchildren, Kennedy and Dane Abler; Giana and Amelia Goglio; Gavin, Blake, and Cecelia Wakeley; Joseph Miller Jr.; Ashley Bossell; Aidan and Xavier Lilly; and Seth and Cage Kelly. There are three siblings, Robert (Roselle) Tomsovic of Chicago, IL, Rita Peterson of Waupaca, and David (Cristina) Tomsovic of Dale City, CA. Jake is further survived by his mother-in-law, Virginia Hartung of Wonder Lake, IL; two sisters-in-law, LeeAnn Calcagno of McHenry, IL, and Donna Grelyak of Hayward; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, Charles Hartung, a sister-in-law, Ginger Huhn, and four brothers-in-law, Jim Peterson, John Huhn, Dick Calcagno, and Ken Grelyak.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 12th at 11:00 AM at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. Rev. Bradley Dokken will officiate and burial will follow at Greenvale Cemetery, Wild Rose. Military Honors will be provided by members of the American Legion Post #198 of Marion. Friends may call on Saturday from 9:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred in Jake’s memory to Cherry Meadows Hospice, 2600 S. Heritage Woods Dr., Appleton, WI 54915.
The family wishes to thank all the nurses and staff at Cherry Meadows Hospice for their compassion provided and excellent care given to dad.
