Thomas Donald Cutler

Thomas Donald Cutler, 74, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2016 at the Unity Meng Hospice Residence in De Pere, Wisconsin, due to complications of cancer.
Tom was born January 3, 1942, in Fond du Lac, WI, to Donald and Helen (Markheim) Cutler, who preceded him in death.

He married Janet Wilhelms on July 27, 1963, in Fond du Lac, WI. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2013.

Tom graduated from Goodrich High School in 1960, attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and completed a State Indentured Machinist Apprenticeship with Giddings and Lewis in Fond du Lac, WI. Tom worked in various manufacturing positions, was co-owner of Tru Cut Machining, finally working throughout Wisconsin and the upper Midwest in manufacturing sales. Tom was industrious and found his work very satisfying; by choice, he never fully retired and was working until only a few weeks before his death.

He resided in Fond du Lac, WI until 1978, moving to West Bend, WI and then to Green Bay, WI in 1979, where he resided until 2010. Tom and Janet retired to their home on North Pelican Lake, the Moen Lake Chain, Rhinelander, WI, in August, 2010. This home was a true retreat where Tom enjoyed time with family and friends in the north woods of Wisconsin, his most favorite place. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, watching them grow, and teaching them many things, especially about the outdoors, which had brought such joy to his life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger fan. He loved his many dogs, mostly Labradors, throughout the years. He was active in the Green Bay Bulldogs Football program, Little League Baseball, and served as board member and Vice President, Moen Lake Chain Association.

Tom had a well-known sense of humor, and brought a welcome lightness and ease to any situation. He had an enormous strength of will and valued a focus on the positive, so shared his nearly four year battle with cancer only with his immediate family. Tom’s wife Janet was at his side when he passed, and he was surrounded by his immediate family in the hours and days leading up to his death.

Tom is survived by wife, Janet, Rhinelander, WI; daughter, Sherri Willoughby (Ford), Oak Park, IL, and Nick (Erin) Cutler, De Pere, WI; grandchildren Ruby Willoughby, Tess Willoughby, Ella Cutler, and Will Cutler. He is also survived by Aunt Judy (Cutler) and Uncle Al Pederson, Aunt Florence (Markheim) Abbs, and many cousins and friends. He will be missed by many.

A special thank you to the Bellin Cancer Team, Dr. Tahsildar and Dr. Cutler; the caring staff on Bellin 4th Floor Medical; and Unity Hospice for their support.

A memorial service will be held in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on Monday, April 11, 2016, at 12 noon at Immanuel Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation with the family begins at 11AM.
Please send memorial donations to Janet Cutler, Rhinelander, WI. These will be directed to various organizations benefiting those living with cancer.