Thomas A. Okuley

Thomas Adam Okuley passed into eternal life on Monday, October 16, 2023, after a short hospital stay.

Tom was born on June 19, 1938, in New Bavaria to the late Leo and Edna (Westrick) Okuley.

On July 16, 1960, he married Dorothy Mae (Schroeder) Okuley, who survives. They built a life together on the homestead where Tom was raised, and recently celebrated 63 years of marriage.

Tom spent time working for Johns Manville, and later retired from GM Powertrain in Defiance after 46 years of dedication. He served in the military with the National Guard and was a volunteer for New Bavaria EMS and Fire Department.

Tom was a faithful parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria. He was a member of New Bavaria AMVETS, Ottawa Eagles, and a fourth degree “Sir Knight” of the Ottawa Knights of Columbus.

Tom cherished time with his family, especially on family vacations, and in more recent years, loved to easily bring smiles to the faces of his grandchildren and great-granddaughters with his light-hearted expressions and demeanor. He enjoyed playing card games, particularly Euchre and Sequence, and regularly attended card parties with family and friends. He liked to go out hunting, fishing, and camping, and at his home, enjoyed tending his garden, mowing, and taking care of his cats.

In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by two sons: Randal (Maryann) Okuley of Sylvania, Timothy (Shonda) Okuley of New Bavaria; a daughter Tina (Terry) Altman of Leipsic; ten grandchildren: Aaron (Aly) Okuley, Andrew (Jennifer) Okuley, Alana Okuley, Adam Okuley, Ryan Okuley, Lauren Okuley, Jenna Okuley, Emily Altman, Dylan (Samantha) Altman, and Alexxis Obarski; great-grandchildren: Poppy, Josephine, Adalyn, Hazel, and one on the way.

He is survived by siblings: Joyce Poulson, Michael Okuley, Kevin Okuley, and Ben Okuley; sisters-in-law: Margaret Okuley, Rita (Leo) Schroeder, Rosemary (Gary) Brown, JoAnn Brown, Janet (Ronald) Brown, and Kathy (Richard) Beining.

Tom was preceded in death by his daughter, Michele Obarski; two brothers, Daniel Okuley and Gerald Okuley, and two sisters, Janet Otto and Margaret Okuley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 21 with Fr. Nicholas Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be in the Zachrich Family Funeral Home, 114 William Street, Holgate from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20, with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m.; there will also be an hour of visitation on Saturday in the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial donations may be given to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria.  

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