Charles Thom

Charles William Thom, age 70, of Waupaca, Wisconsin (formerly of Bradenton, Florida) passed away on Thursday, December 31, 2009, at Riverside Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 23, 1934 to Gladys (Johnson) and Willard Thom. Charles never married, but lived a very full life with companion dogs, Rusty and Mocha. He made his home, for the majority of his life, in the Central Florida Gulf Coast area, where he worked as an optician, most recently at the Bradenton Wal-Mart. Ill-health brought him to Waupaca, Wisconsin to spend his final months with his family. He was a member of Bradenton Gospel Tabernacle for the past 35 years where he was a member of the band and choir, and worked in the church office. Upon moving to Waupaca, Charles found a new church family at Fellowship Baptist Church of Waupaca. He especially enjoyed his daily trips to the Waupaca Senior Nutrition Site for lunch, his visits with his friends Gary Richardson and Pastor Rick Anderson, as well as taking care of his toy poodle, Mocha. The highlight of his last days included a surprise 70th birthday party which his family and friends threw for him on December 23, one day before illness would cause him to be hospitalized. He was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love he received from friends and family in the short time he resided in Waupaca. Charles is survived by his sister, Lois-Jean Updike of Waupaca; his two special nieces, Shirley (Larry) Butler of Menomonee Falls and Patti (Edward) Huber of Waupaca; as well as many other nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Along with his parents, Charles was preceded in death by three sisters, Shirley (Thom) Jones, Jessie (Thom) Christensen and Barbara Buege; and five brothers, Lester “Sonny” Thom, Robert Thom, Harold Thom, Arden Thom, and Richard Thom. A Memorial Service for Charles will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Fellowship Baptist Church, N3548 County Hwy E, Waupaca, WI. Pastor Rick Anderson will officiate. A visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the church on Tuesday. His cremains will be taken to his beloved Florida at a later date where they will be sprinkled in the Gulf. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff at Riverside Medical Center and especially Dr. Sarah Durst, for the excellent care he received while he was a patient there. A memorial fund is being established. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” HOLLY FUNERAL HOME 526 S. Main Street Waupaca, WI 54981 www.hollyfuneralhome.com

Charles Thom

December 23, 1939 - December 31, 2009