Tom Depies

Tom Depies of Sherman Center, formerly of the Town of Belgium, died Saturday, Sept. 28. He was 67.

Mr. Depies was born in the Town of Belgium on July 25, 1952, to Richard and Ethel Ann Depies. He attended St. Nicholas Grade School in Dacada and graduated from Random Lake High School in 1970.  

He grew up working on the family farm in Belgium and made it his full-time career by entering into a partnership with his parents. Mr. Depies also worked with Adell Whey and the Cedar Valley Cheese factory.

 Mr. Depies married Mary Schwab in 1972 and the couple worked side by side on the family farm.

His family said Mr. Depies was the mechanic and “fix-it-man” on the farm, and he used those skills throughout his life to fix things for family and friends.

Motorcycles were in Mr. Depies’ blood long before he could legally drive. He was happy riding his Harley-Davidson and seeing America from the seat of his bike.

People living around Random Lake would refer to him as “Freddy’s Dad” and experienced his quick wit and humor.

Mr. Depies is survived by his daughter Stacy (Steve) Celichowski of Germantown and sons Craig (Rebecca) of Chicago and Christopher “Freddy” (Nicole) of Cedar Grove.  

He is further survived by his father Richard of Random Lake; siblings Terry (Linda) of Antigo, Rick of Dacada, Sherri (Mark) Orth of Oconto, Cindy (Keith) Streitenberger of Merton, Jeff (Theresa) of Spring Brook and Pat (Misti) of Dacada; and grandchildren Camden and Chase Celichowski and Cameron and Dallas Depies.

He was proceeded in death by his mother.

There will be a prayer service for Mr. Depies at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Eernisse Funeral Home in Belgium.

Visitation will be at the funeral home Friday from 3 p.m. until the service.

A private interment will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, at St. Nicholas Cemetery in Dacada, followed by a gathering at 3 p.m. at Booz’n in Random Lake.

Memorials to the family are suggested.