Thomas Kretz, longtime Antigo resident who recently moved to Appleton, died Monday, December 14, 2020, surrounded by his family. He was 84 years old. He was born on December 16, 1935, in Antigo, a son of Leon and Alice (Schumitsch) Kretz.

He was raised in Antigo where he attended St. John Parochial School. He graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in Prarie du Chein in 1953. He received a bachelor degree in accounting from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.

He married Theodora "Teddy" Hommerding at St. John Catholic Church in Antigo on July 26, 1958. She preceded him in death on January 21, 2008.

From 1958 to 1960 he served in the United States Army.

Following military service, he had a long career as a Certified Public Accountant beginning with an accounting firm in Wausau. From 1967 to 1984 Tom was director of finance for Langlade Memorial Hospital in Antigo. He retired in 1999 from Parson's Chevrolet - Buick where he worked as their accounting manager.

On September 24, 2011, he married Patricia "Pat" (Callahan) Galarowicz at St. John Catholic Church. She survives and resides in Appleton.

Tom was an active community member having served five years on the Antigo Board of Education, was a board member and past president of the Antigo Area Chamber of Commerce, member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 663, Antigo and the Msgr. Conrad Saile Knights of Columbus Council 1002, Antigo. As a member of St. John Catholic Church Tom served many years as an usher, communion distributor, member of the Fall Festival committee, the parish council, and finance committees.

Tom had a passion for baseball having played on high school and college teams, played county league for Kempster, followed by playing for the Antigo Candies and the Bakers in Wausau. He coached Little League in Antigo for many years.

He enjoyed playing golf, following the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers, Antigo area sporting events, but most importantly his grandchildren's games and activities.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathie (Gary) Shadick, Appleton, Trisha (Terry) Brown, Green Bay; three sons, Mike (Joan) Kretz, Appleton, Steve (Veronica) Kretz, Gurnee, Illinois, Jim (Mari) Kretz, Oostburg; two sisters, Joan (Denny) Cline, Florida, Joyce "Mouse" (Jeff) Wagner, Eagle River; two brothers, Terry (Jamine) Kretz, Antigo, Joe "Smoke" (Sandy) Kretz, Antigo; two brothers-in-law, Larry Krueger of Neenah, Ron Randl of Dundee, IL;

fourteen grandchildren, Lindsay (Jon) Hyatt, Kendi (Jeff) Bakken, Andy (Amanda) Shadick, Abbie (Andrew) Goodman, Sammi (Joe) Grone, Jamie (Jacob) Bradley, Rob Kretz, Adam Brown, Courtney (Zach) Nuthals, Andi Kretz, Justin Kretz, Joey Kretz, Emily (Sam) Fluty, Ben Kretz; 15 great-grandchildren Brendan, Patrick, Meghan, Jace, Teddy, Leon, Ezzy, JoJo, Hailey, Elsie, John, Patty, Peter, Rylen, Karsyn and one more on the way;

and his wife Pat's children Rhonda (Gary) Rogalla, Julie (DJ) Long, Denise (Mark) Samolinski, David Galarowicz, Amy (David) Robinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of almost 50 years, "Teddy"; a son Kenn; two sisters Judy Randl and Janet Krueger; a brother Kenny.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo with Rev. Charles Hoffmann and Rev. Adam Bradley con-celebrating. The Mass will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb6i85f1GcZRPPLZAqlFAYA
Veterans will conduct military honors following services at the church.
Burial will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bradley Funeral Home and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A parish wake service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday also at the funeral home. Masks and social distancing required.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Services