Thomas "TJ" J. Loveland

Thomas (TJ) John Loveland, 80, of Gillette, WY, passed away at his home on December 22, 2022. Thomas was born on March 12, 1942 in Marshfield, WI. He graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in 1960.

He served 26 1/2 years in the army & earned the rank of Master Sergeant. He received a Business Administration-Personnel degree in 1988 & was an honor graduate. He also worked as a civilian on base in Fort McCoy after his retirement working with artillery and driving trucks. He served 2 tours in the Vietnam War and also served in the Korean Conflict. He was also an army recruiter in Watertown, WI. His work provided him the opportunity to travel to many different places abroad.

Commendations received were Army Commendation, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He served as Commander at the American Legion in Sparta for 3 years, was a VFW Judge Advocate, a member of the Sparta Lions Club for 28 years, served as president there and also received the Melvin Jones Award which is their highest form of recognition. He was also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America in Fort McCoy, the Sparta Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Gillette, WY. He received many different awards, trophies and medals throughout his lifetime for various things.

He was on a bowling team & softball league for many years and was a basketball referee for a period of time. He was an avid collector of many different things & he enjoyed hunting, fishing, antiquing, watching football and car races, gambling, classic muscle cars, live instrumental bands, lighting off fireworks and spending time with his family and friends. He was a fun-loving guy with a heart of gold and will be missed dearly.

Thomas is survived by his daughter Lori (Tony) Gerner; adopted daughter Gina (John) Indra; adopted son Brian (Tammy) Loveland; grandchildren, Logan (Amber) Riesen, Brock (Rachael) Riesen and Alexis Riesen; great-grandchildren, Addilynn and Ryland Riesen; brothers, John Jr. (Corrine) Loveland, Michael (Chery) Loveland and Jeffrey (Pamela) Loveland; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, John (Jack) Sr. and Ruth Loveland; grandparents, Dr. Homer and Ella Loveland, and Melvin and Mayme Parkhill.

A celebration of life service will be held at at 12 noon on Monday, January 9, 2023 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with Reverend Randy Williamson officiating. Burial, with full military honors provided by VFW Post 2112 and American Legion Post 100, of Sparta, will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sparta. Memorials can be made to the Lions Club Campaign SightFirst.

Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. 

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