Thomas
A. VanSelus, age 58, of Shell Lake, WI passed away on Thursday,
October 23, 2014 at his home.
Thomas
Arthur was born February 18, 1956 in Chicago, IL the son of Thomas F.
and Helen Marie (Kenosha) VanSelus. He graduated from Shell Lake
High School and started working in construction remodeling houses.
Thomas joined the army on June 6, 1977 and served for three years,
much of it stationed in Germany. He earned the rank of master
sergeant and the National Defense Service Medal. Tom was honorably
discharged on March 25, 1980 and returned to Shell Lake, WI. He went
to work with his Uncle in “Tom’s Masonry” where they did all
kinds of masonry and he specialized in field stone work. While
working as a mason, Tom met Renee Elena Warnek in Darlington, WI.
Tom and Renee were married on November 22, 1988 in Sarasota, FL.
Together they operated a small farm in Dewey with wonderful neighbors
where they raised beef and sheep. Tom continued working as a mason
and eventually began his own business, called Stone Age that he was
operating until the time of his death. Tom enjoyed photography,
painting in oils, gardening, hunting and cutting firewood. He loved
to take trips where he could just drive and stop at local places of
history, unique buildings and visit small dining cafés. He was a
member of Stone Mad and Fine Art of America.
Tom
is survived by his wife of 26 years, Renee; two sons, Robert of
Warren, MI and Thomas J. of Shell Lake, WI; mother, Helen VanSelus of
Shell Lake, WI; aunt, Carol Haseltine of Spooner, WI; brother-in-law,
Steven (Mary) Warnek; two nephews, one niece and several cousins.
A
memorial service will be held for Tom at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday,
October 30, at the Scalzo-Taylor Chapel in Spooner with Pastor John
Sahlstrom officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00
p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
On
line condolences may be left at www.bratleyfuneralservice.com.
