Obit: Tibbett, Bruce Thomas “Tom” (1935 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Tibbett, Leland, Zabler, Schmidt, Poeschel, Witte, Grady, Kelchen, Schraeder, Helland, Schneider, Mrotek, Cortez, Joseph

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/25/2016

Tibbett, Bruce Thomas “Tom” (30 March 1935 - 21 May 2016) With Flag

Bruce “Tom” Tibbett, 81, of Neillsville died Saturday, May 21, 2016, at his residence following a courageous battle against cancer.

Bruce Thomas Tibbett was born March 30, 1935, in Neillsville, the son of George and Louise (Leland) Tibbett. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and Neillsville High School. He then enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a paratrooper in the Airborne Division. After his honorable discharge in December of 1956, he moved to West Allis and began working for Allis Chalmers. He was united in marriage to Shirley A. Zabler Aug. 31, 1957 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in West Allis. They moved back to Neillsville in 1964, and Tom took over his father’s business, Tibbett Ice and Fuel. After running that business, Tom successfully operated Tibbett Transfer and Storage, delivering freight for many local farmers. He also did a little farming on the side.

Tom was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville, where he attended mass daily. He also served on the pastoral council, the building and grounds committee and as weekly money counter. He was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus member.

Tom loved bowling. He was a member of the Neillsville Bowling Association for many years, and this spring, he was inducted into the Neillsville Bowling Hall of Fame. He had three 300 games in his life, and he was the first to roll a 300 game in the new Strike Time Lanes. Tom also enjoyed the outdoors where, for 50 years, he cut firewood to heat his home. His other hobbies included cooking maple syrup, riding his bike and walking through the woods, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s school activities and ball games.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley; six children: Patti (Tim) Schmidt of Altoona, Bruce (Nancy) Tibbett, Jr. of Marshfield, Bev (Bill) Poeschel of Neillsville, Michelle (Tony) Witte of Fort Atkinson, Jenny (Brandon) Grady of Aurora, CO, and Aimee (Steve) Kelchen of Summit; 18 grandchildren: Ben, Mike (Kristin), Andy (Mandy) and Timmy (Tracy) Schrader; Jenny (Erick) Helland; Max and Roman Tibbett; Chris (Jamie), Justin, Courtney and Sarah Poeschel; Jessica and Jacob Witte; Ethan, Quinton and Mireille Grady; and Emmet and Graham Kelchen; five great-grandchildren: Matthew Schneider, Recelyn Schrader, Easton Schrader, Everett Schrader and Hayden Poeschel; a sister, Pat Mrotek of Neillsville; a sister-in-law, Joanne Tibbett of Neillsville; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Dick Tibbett; and a son-in-law, Tim Schrader.

A memorial mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 28, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville. The celebrant will be Rev. Varkey V. Joseph. Music will be provided by Vicente Cortez, organist, and St. Mary’s Choir. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a Knights of Columbus Rosary Service at 10:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Tom’s family with funeral arrangements.