June 5, 2017 – Kewaskum, WI – Thomas R. “Tom” Jalas, 79, of Kewaskum, died peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital, on Thursday, June 1, 2017, surrounded by his family.
Tom was born on June 5, 1937, in Milwaukee, the son of the late Herbert and Eileen (Tillman) Jalas. On December 2, 1961, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Eleanor “Ellie” Breuer at St. Francis Catholic Church of Assisi in Milwaukee.
Tom was a kind and gentle man; a wonderful example of unconditional love. He cherished spending time with his family playing sheepshead, Packer parties, Brewer games, and fishing. Other interests were vintage car shows, trains, and riding his bike. He served the community by starting his own business, Jalas Tax Service, in Kewaskum in 1974, until he sold it in 2014. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958.
Those Tom leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 55 years, Ellie; five children, Susan Perkins and Karen (Jeff) Paulus both of Kewaskum, Sharon (Todd) Laurent of Richfield, Kathryn (Christopher) Ruch of Kewaskum, and Dr. John (Shirley) Jalas of Santa Monica, California; eight grandchildren, Benjamin Johnson and Rachel (Mitchell) Johnson, Jeffrey Paulus and Thomas (Danielle) Paulus, Kali (Mark) Pentler and Candace Greupink, Tyler (Michelle) Cochenet and Leea (Steven) Cochenet; six great grandchildren, Owen Paulus, Lyla Mae Paulus, Oliver Pentler, Riley, Keegan, and Cayden “Noah” Mitchell; three sisters, Lorraine Witt, Eileen (Jim) Vanderheiden, and JoAnn (Mike) Greene; three sisters-in-law, Kathryn Jalas, Liela Jalas, and Dolores Breuer; one brother-in-law, Robert Breuer; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by, his parents-in-law, Clarence and Mabel Breuer; a son-in-law, Marvin “Perky” Perkins; six brothers, infants Herbie and Danny, Richard, John “Jack”, James, and Robert; a sister, Jean (Jerry) Wischer; and two brothers-in-law, Curtis Breuer and Jim Witt.
A celebration of life open house for Tom will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at Hon-E-Kor, 1141 Riverview Drive, in Kewaskum, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with Military Honor Rites held at 2:00 p.m.
A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospital for the wonderful and compassionate care provided to Tom and to the staff at Cedar Lake Rehab.
The Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes have been entrusted with Tom’s arrangements.