THOMAS PAUN JR.
THOMAS PAUN JR.
Thomas Paun Jr., 84, entered his eternal life March 5, 2025, at the Marshfield Hospital with his wife Janette by his side.
Funeral services for Thomas ‘Tom’ will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Spencer. Father Barry Saylor will officiate with grandchildren serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the funeral. Burial will follow the service at the West Spencer Cemetery. A meal will be served at the church after the burial.
Tom was born Dec. 19, 1940, in the township of Sherwood, Clark County, to Thomas Paun Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Perkovich. He attended a one-room elementary school in Sherwood. He attended high school at Pittsville Mary Heart Catholic where he was part of a stellar 13-player football team that went undefeated.
After high school, Tom went on to work for Weyerhauser in Marshfield, hauled milk, and milked cows. Following this, Tom went into logging with Schafer Logging and worked one year on a pipeline. The bulk of Tom’s career was spent with Edgerton Contractors out of Oak Creek, WI, where he worked for 33 years, moving heavy equipment. He retired from Edgerton June of 2006.
Edgerton was like a family to Tom. He took pride moving heavy equipment throughout the Milwaukee metro area. He was known as the ‘green reaper’ since Edgerton equipment was green and the equipment would vanish on the moves from one spot to the next with Tom’s efficient and determined work ethic.
Tom married Janette Rose Schafer, the love of his life, July 28, 1962 at St. Stephans Catholic Church in Chili, WI. They had three boys, Thomas III, Scot and Mark.
Tom is survived by his wife, Janette; and children Thomas (Linda), Scot (Krisan) and Mark (Wendy). He was Grandpa to grandchildren Thomas Paun, Mason Paun, Karen Paun, Danielle (Aaron) Turner, Aaron (Amanda) Paun, Katlin (Connor) Linden, Brittany Thometz, Jenaya (Dylan) Paun, and Dylan Paun; great-grandchildren Kashten and Reilyn Paun, Miles and Evelyn Turner, and Henry and Charlotte Linden.
He is further survived by sisters-in-law Ellen (Schafer) Paun, Judy (Reed) Sazama, and Deb (Jeff) Purvis; brother-in-law Roger Schafer; special cousin Sharon (Larry) Steinwagner; and many nieces and nephews. Last but not least Tom’s ever faithful companion ‘Lady,’ his German Sheperd. He always enjoyed taking care of his two German girls.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary; his siblings and their spouses, Joe (Helen) Paun, Frank (Virginia) Paun, John Paun, Helen (Dick) Nelson, Martha (Bob) Seymour, Maryjane (Vern) Cassell), Roland (Marlene) Schafer, Kenneth (Kay) Schafer, Carol Zolar and Kay Schafer.
Tom spent most of his free time enjoying days with his family. He loved to be in the woods, whether he was hunting, maple syruping or making firewood. He loved his old cars and trucks, including a 1930 Model A that he drove through many parades over the years. If you ever showed up Sunday morning at the Paun household Polka would be the music of choice on the radio, which the boys carefully tried to avoid. Tom had a very big heart and was loved by many. He leaves behind a legacy of love and shared faith that will ensure for many decades.