Neale A. Thomas, 72, of Kiel, passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on Tuesday morning February, 6, 2018 at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center. He was born July 14, 1945 in Sheboygan, son of the late Arno & Edna (Kasten) Thomas. Neale attended grade school in Cleveland and was a 1963 graduate of Sheboygan South High School.
Neale proudly served his country with the United States Air Force. He enlisted in August of 1963 and remained active until March of 1972. He served with the 50th Field Maintenance Squadron and later with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant. After his service, Neale became a journeyman millright. He worked for many years at Fromagerie Bell in Hilbert as a Maintenance Supervisor. He also worked at Will-Pemco, in Sheboygan, until his retirement in 2007. Neale's greatest joy came from the outdoors. He especially looked forward to hunting geese in Collins and his yearly fishing trips to Post Lake. He was a lifetime member of the Kiel Fish and Game and his extraordinary organizational skills served him well as the club's banquet chairman for many years. Neale also enjoyed watching football and NASCAR, dinners out with friends, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include the love of his life, Linda Hausler; his children: Michele Thomas, James (Cathy) Thomas, Cori (Chad) Nielson and Ericka (Dan) Claflin; 10 grandchildren: Katey, Sara, Ellie, Erin, Cody (Paige), Brendon, Nick, Taylor, Nathan and Molly. He is further survived by his extended family: Allen Dorn, Karen Burg, Gail (Mike) Gast, Charlie (Julie) Dorn, Julie (Todd) Lutze, and Connie (Dan) Walsdorf, along with many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Bonney Siefert and Darlagene (Carl) Boedeker; and extended family members Dennis Dorn, Janet Dorn and Bill Burg.
A celebration of Neale's life will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 1:00 to 4:00pm, at Town of Schleswig Hall, 21935 Rockville Road, Kiel, WI, with military rites to be held at 2:00pm.
Neale's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center for their continued care of Neale throughout the years. They would also like to thank the Kiel Ambulance Service, Kiel Senior Citizens Transportation and DaVita for all their help and care.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his name.