Thomas Lee Japuntich, age 56, of Friendship, Wisconsin passed away at his home on May 16, 2011.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 29, at 2:00 p.m. with memorial services to follow at 3:00 p.m. at Prairie Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Ripon, Wisconsin (315 Eureka St. Ripon, WI 54971). Rev. Christine Poortenga will officiate.
Tom was born October 19, 1954 in Elgin, Illinois to Florence and John Japuntich. He attended Green Lake High School. He proudly attended US Army Ranger School. Tom was a skilled carpenter and spent many years making hand-crafted wood furniture. He enjoyed reading, listening to music, and most of all, sharing with those around him a story from his past or an interesting fact he picked up along the way.
In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to the family would be appreciated.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Japuntich and an infant sister, Judith.
Survivors:
Mother: Florence Japuntich of Markesan, Wisconsin
Children: Megan (James Haine) Matthews of Appleton, Wisconsin; Morgan (Sarah) Japuntich of Douglas, Wyoming & Evin Japuntich of Madison, WI
Siblings: Daniel (Dorothy Edelson) Japuntich of St. Paul, Minnesota; Stephen (Bonnie) Japuntich of Phillips, Wisconsin; Sue (Ron) Silber of Ripon Wisconsin & Beth (Ray) Frederick of Plainfield, Wisconsin
Grandchildren: Kaine Japuntich, Aidan Haine & Colin Haine
Further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
I knew Tom through my mother "Gloria Klicko" when she cared for him as oone of his home health providers. I think of him every time I see a Piliated Woodpecker, because of the time when my mom first saw one, out on the porch of Tom’s place. She thought it was darn near prehistoric and Tom laughed and got a real kick out of her bewilderment, and the fact that she was blessed to witness a rare bird so close up, because they usually stay so well hidden. I Also remember him when i see Patchoulli Cologne….He wouldn’t go without it! Like the rare bird, Tom was a rare individual, but unlike the bird, he liked to share his thoughts with everyone. It’s an honor for my mom and I, to have known him. Godbless and may your memories comfort you.
Linda Russell
I knew Tom through my mother "Gloria Klicko" when she cared for him as oone of his home health providers. I think of him every time I see a Piliated Woodpecker, because of the time when my mom first saw one, out on the porch of Tom’s place. She thought it was darn near prehistoric and Tom laughed and got a real kick out of her bewilderment, and the fact that she was blessed to witness a rare bird so close up, because they usually stay so well hidden. I Also remember him when i see Patchoulli Cologne….He wouldn’t go without it! Like the rare bird, Tom was a rare individual, but unlike the bird, he liked to share his thoughts with everyone. It’s an honor for my mom and I, to have known him. Godbless and may your memories comfort you.
I wanted to say thank you to all of you for the memories and heart felt comments. I will miss dad forever. Thank you.
I happen to get this feeling to check on Tom..and I am soo sorry..My mom was best friens with him..suzanne Callaghan..and my dad..Kalman Horvath.My mom posted a note on facebook for him and you all..its under Lisa nelson..e-mail;lisafirstnamenelson@ymail.com.I love you all and cannot express how sorry we ALL ARE out here in Clorado..he was family.My parents knew him since Jr.High and I..my whole life.
Tom will be deeply missed by me. He was a wonderful man. God Bless.
Some of things that remind me of his unique personality and skills:
Wood working, crack shot for deer, doing his best to raise two children prior to the accident, fabulous on the harmonica and always wanting to remember songs that meant a lot to him over the years. I will miss his phone calls asking what group sang what son, or a title of a book he couldn’t remember. Despite his short term memory losses, many times he called on Thanksgiving or Christmas out of the blue to give his best regards. Those memories will always remain with me.
To Megan, Morgan, Evin,
Your Dad was a unique person, and I loved him. He was my brother and a friend. I will miss him greatly. Tom’s intelligence and wit could be profound, and I actually valued his insights and ways of looking at life and our family. Although I wished over the years that I could make him whole, his differences allowed us to develop a loyalty to each other that I would not experienced with anyone else. Dorothy and I wish you the best memories and peace of mind in this time of sadness. Lots of Love – Dan and Dotty
I am so sorry for the loss of your father and son. I got to know Tom when I stayed with him to take care of him when he came back home. He was a very interesting person to talk to. My thoughts and prays are with you all.
Our family is so sorry for the loss of your family member. Our hearts are with your entire family during this time. Memories will heal the soul.
RIP Tom. You were an interesting and very intelligent man. To Tom’s family … you have my condolences. He is at peace now and will forever be in your memories and hearts.
Megan, Evin, & Morgan, I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Tom has always had a special place in my heart, whether it was him yelling "who-ah" at our dinner table or reminding me to plant a tree. The thought of him always makes me smile, he always told me to follow my heart and to heck with what others thought of me, and I am forever thankful for his influence in my life. I have a greater appreciation for our earth, our history, and the tolerance of others because of my Uncle Tom. My prayers and heart go out to you at this time of loss.
Dear Megan, Evin & Morgan ,
My deepest sympathies to all of you. As a brother he always had a special fondness for me as the baby of the family and I felt deeply loved by him .I remember many Halloween’s with him, one year I had the chicken pocks so he pulled me in a wagon since I felt sick.I felt like the most loved and special girl in the world during my younger years .There are so many memories , too many to mention.He had a child-like heart that made everything seem extra special. Your Father & my brother is great loss to us all . All our love, Beth & Family
Megan, Morgan, and Evin:
Your father was a very special person. I have many great memories of the very skilled craftsman and talented hunter. We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to you at this time.
My condolences to the Jupuntich family. It wouldn’t be fair to say that Tom chose a difficult path. I think it chose him.
Dear Megan, Morgan, and Evin,
Tom was my first best friend. We ice skated while holding clothesline tied to our dog on the frozen lake, rode double on the one bicycle we owned to the Center House Store for Popsicles; stopping off to play in the Dump. We jumped off the pier in the hot summer and paddled to the center of the lake on tire inner tubes waiting for the boats the Captain Bickle or The Lady of the Lake to motor past; making huge waves we would ride back to the pier. Tom and I stayed up late waiting patiently for Santa and the Easter Bunny together and got sick eating chocolate covered cherries. Unfortunately neither of us ever mastered that Paddle-ball thing. We played army with plastic bazookas, cap guns, and BB guns. We played as Indians in the woods, gathering nuts, plants, berries, and made our own wigwam and slept in it over night. We made campfires, heating Spaghettios in a mess kit and popped Jiffy Pop in the dark. We moved our beds to the front porch and slept there in the summer; listening to Mom and Dad watching Carson and the sounds of the lake. We used a simple tape recorder and created our own talk shows, interviewing each other. We laughed so much!
I feel fortunate to have been able to spend that time with him when life was so simple. I do believe that your Dad is at peace now.
Dear Megan, Morgan and Evin,
I have wonderful memories of your father when we were children. I am one of his cousins and he was closest to me in age so we played together a lot. He was always easy going and funny. We had many good times, he made me laugh. We swam in Green Lake in the Summer and played in the snow during the Wisconsin Winters.
Please know that he was a happy boy and made others happy too.
My prayers are with you now as you grieve his passing.
With love,
Janet
Japuntich Family ALL,
I remember when Tommy was born. He had the most beautiful chubby cheeks EVER. He had a happy disposition. I loved holding him. Through the years our relationship had faded. We were a military family and a hard target to follow. Please know that I am here for you.
Texas is far and HOT but we put on the A/C for Kompany. Please feel the incredible love I have for you and that prayers follow. I am sorry for your loss. Tom was about my mother’s age when she died. Too
young, too young I am sure he had a few more wood projects to finish.
Love to you all,
Susan Japuntich Huether
Ron, Anna & Family, Ronda & Family, Hans, & Ariel
Evin, Megan and Morgan. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. I worked as Tom’s caseworker almost five years. During this time we had a very interesting caseworker/client relationship. His intelligence, knowledge of so many varied subjects fascinated me..from the time i would pick him up until I would drop him off,never was there a dull moment. I truly believe Tom had a genuine respect for me as a person and as his caseworker. I would set boundaries with him and he never pushed the limit of these. He was unique. I am happy to have met Tom Japuntich May he rest in peace and find his 44 magnum, where ever he may be.