Barbola Funeral Chapel

Thomas David Barbola

Thomas D. Barbola, age 85, formerly of Berlin, died peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2014 at home in the Village of Marquette.

He was born October 8, 1928 in Milwaukee, the son of Emil and Ella Landry Barbola. Tom was a 1946 graduate of Berlin High School. He graduated from WI State University in Oshkosh with a degree in Business Administration. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. On December 9, 1954, he was united in marriage to Carole A. Krueger. Together they owned and operated Janet’s Smart Shop in Berlin for many years. They divorced in 1999.

In his early years, Tom was active in many sports and was proud of the Class of 1946, winning Conference Championships in five major sports. Tom learned to wrestle under the direction of his dad, Emil, a past World Welter Weight Champion and wrestling promoter. Tom became the Army Wrestling Champion in 1953 and the Wisconsin Heavy Weight Champion in the late 1950s. He and his dad promoted area wrestling matches until Emil’s death in 1961, when Tom retired from the ring undefeated. Tom served on the Berlin Police Department from 1955-1965. He loved to hunt, trap, fish, and garden. He was an avid fan of the Packers and Badgers. Tom was a member of United Methodist Church in Berlin, a lifetime member of Berlin High School Alumni Association, Past Master of Berlin Masonic Lodge #38 F&AM, past member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Green Bay, Tripoli Shrine, the Winnebagoland and Mascoutin Shrine Clubs, and O’Connor-Chiers Post 340 American Legion.

He is survived by his son, David Barbola (Lisa Lee) of Berlin; five grandchildren, Karissa (Mark) Bowen of Oshkosh, Kylah (Kyle) Russ of Neenah, Thomas Barbola of Appleton, Charles Barbola and Janetta Barbola both of Oshkosh; daughter-in-law, Donita Barbola of Oshkosh; nephew, Allan (Janet) Brooks of Markesan; niece, Marjorie Brooks (Ken Krentz) of Princeton; and his companion of 15 years, Dolores “Del” Schweder of Marquette and her family who he loved as his own, Kristi Green (John Wassong), Jon Schweder, Debra (William) Atwater; Del’s grandchildren, Andrea (Daniel) Klapper, Jon (Amy) Dolgner, and Kristina Dolgner (friend, Joe Violetto); Del’s great-grandchildren, Sean, Aaron, Jesse, Heidi, Tiffany, Andrew, Natalee and Colin; and his canine walking partner, “Gunny”. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; son, William Barbola; and sister and brother-in- law, Janet (Gilbert) Brooks.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Berlin, the Rev. Aaron Alfred officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with Military Honors. Friends and relatives may call on Friday, February 7 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin and again at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials may be directed to Berlin Food Pantry or the Berlin Alumni Association. Online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.