Tom's Funeral Service Video

Thomas J. Stilen, age 83 of Clover Leaf Lakes, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.  Tom was born in the Town of Liberty on September 23, 1942 to the late George and Ruth Stilen.  He Married Violet (Dumke Van Swol) on May 19, 2012.  Tom worked at John Deere for 26 years before opening his own business repairing tractors.  The cabbage harvesters in the area were his creation.  If someone told him that something couldn't be done, he would prove them wrong! Nothing could stop him.  Tom never had a job he could not do.  His greatest hobby was trapping all sorts of animals; coyotes, fox, beavers, and much more.  He also enjoyed racing, often working all night to make it to the races.  Of all the jobs in his life he loved nothing more than family, especially his grandkids – A.K.A "The Boys".

Tom is survived by his wife, Violet; his children, Kelly Stilen (Al Fisher) and Regina (Mark) Jahn; step-children, James (Jennifer) Van Swol and Julie (Samuel) Reif; grandchildren, Denver (Alyiah) and Dylan (Natalee); step-grandchildren, Christopher (Erica), Austin, Megan (Luke) and Alexis (Justin); four great-grandchildren; special friends, Mel and Lois Selle, Bob and Brett Singler, Brian Wickesberg and Lana and Steve Davis and his brother, George Stilen, along with many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet; sisters, Laverne (in childhood) and Marian (Ted) Doehling; brother, James Stilen and many other relatives and friends.

The Funeral Service for Tom will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Clintonville with Pastor Eric Hess officiating.  The visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

The family wishes to thank the 2nd floor ICU staff at ThedaCare in Appleton and Dr. Chen.