Obituary of Thomas John Newman
Thomas John Newman, age 65, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away on July 29, 2017 at the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center in Owen, Wisconsin.
Funeral services are on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. at Baker Street Wesleyan Church in Wisconsin Rapids with Pastor Steve Steinmetz officiating. Burial will be in Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, August 2, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Tom's name. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.
Tom was born in Wisconsin Rapids on February 6, 1952, the son of the late Reuben and Catherine (Mullenix) Newman. He graduated from Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School in 1970. In high school, Tom performed in musical productions and debate, as well as excelling in track and cross-country while competing as a distance runner. A highlight of his high school running was competing with his teammates at the 1969 WIAA State Cross Country Meet.
After first attending UW-Stevens Point, he completed his undergraduate degree in 1977 at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science with a Bible minor. He later earned his Master’s Degree in School Counseling at UW-River Falls.
On July 4, 1979, Tom married Susan Carol Holly in Waupaca. They enjoyed 38 years of marriage together.
Tom had a varied and interesting work career that included working at Mid-State Technical College, the Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA 5), as well as the Seymour and Auburndale School Districts. Whether teaching to help adults regain driving privileges, writing grants and setting up drug and alcohol prevention programs in small school districts, or working with students as a middle school counselor, Tom had a strong work ethic and brought energy and passion into each job he had.
Tom was friendly and outgoing, and went out of his way to share his kindness with others. Everyone enjoyed hearing of Tom’s life adventures that he would recall with great enthusiasm. He loved to share about traveling out west to the mountains with church youth groups, his experiences trying his hand as a real-estate agent, and helping his father at Newman’s Miniature Golf Course. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger fan, and loved to follow Lincoln High School wrestling.
Tom had a beautiful singing voice and would sing a solo or lead the congregation in singing hymns while accompanying his father-in-law to area churches or nursing homes where he was speaking. Tom loved spending time at the family cottage in Waupaca. He and Sue would enjoy getting together with family while experiencing the peaceful beauty of the Chain O’ Lakes.
Tom is survived by his wife, Susan; his brothers: Jim (Connie) Newman and Jeff Newman, of Wisconsin Rapids; his sister, Sally Newman of La Crosse, and nieces: Tracie Newman and Kayla Newman of Wisconsin Rapids. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: John (Laura) Holly of Green Bay, Tom (Kim) Holly of Ashford, AL, and Randy Binting of Gilbert, AZ; and nieces and nephews: Brian (Naomi) Holly, Erica (Taylor) Olsen, Holly Binting, Anna Binting, Asa Holly, Aaron Holly, Kevin Holly, Andrew Holly, and Nathan Holly. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Catherine Newman; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tom and Mary Holly, and sister-in-law, Nancy Binting.
The Newman family extends a special thank you to the Clark County Nursing facility staff for their compassionate care of Tom.
