----Source: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 edition of the Tribune - Record - Gleaner, (Greenwood, Wis.)

Ervin Tomkowiak

Ervin M. Tomkowiak, 77, Loyal, died on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 28, at Tnnity Lutheran Church, Loyal. The Rev. Daniel E. Zimmerman officiated. Special music was provided by Justin Klute. Burial was in the Loyal Lutheran Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Curtis Tomkowiak, Brandon Krohn, Nathan Krohn and Matthew Tomkowiak.

Ervin M. Tomkowiak was born on Nov. 12, 1926, in Thorp, to John and Anna (nee Hodorowski) Tomkowiak. He attended school at the Poppy School and then attended Withee High School. He and his brother hopped freights and went west to work various harvest seasons following his education. He then worked for the railroad and the Chainbelt Foundry in Milwaukee. He married Evelyn Ziehl on Sept. 24, 1949, in Milwaukee. In 1951, the couple moved to a farm north of Loyal where they raised their children and farmed 41 years together. He loved to hunt and fish, play dartball and square dance. He enjoyed gardening, gambling and gathering with friends for cards. In 1991, the couple retired and moved to a hobby farm where they currently resided. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and its dartball team and served on various boards. He was a caretaker of the Loyal Lutheran Cemetery for many years.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Evelyn Tomkowiak, Loyal; three children, Robert (Roxanne) Tomkowiak, Marshfield, Judy (Jeffrey) Krohn, Marshfield, and Todd (Debbie) Tomkowiak, Plover; seven grandchildren, Elizabetb (Justin) Klute, Madison, Curtis Tomkowiak, Wausau, Brandon (fiance Theresa Hoffmann) Krohn, Nathan Krohn and Danielle Krohn, all of Marshfield, and Matthew Tomkowiak and Aileena Tomkowiak, both of Plover; one brother, Florian (Lorraine) Tomkowiak, Cudahy, and one sister, Christine (Leonard) Kraczek, Greendale.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and one sister, Delores Werner.

Ervin was a loving husband and father who loved to tease everyone. He was a fun-filled grandpa and a true farmer at heart. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. We love you, dad and grandpa; we will miss you.

Memorials in Ervin's name will be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Loyal.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.