Thomas “Texas Tom” Edward Peyer, age 81, of Whitewater, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family.
Thomas was born in Bloomfield, Wis. on June 16, 1931, the son of John and Pauline (Ott) Peyer.
Tom served his country in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving as a senior aircraft mechanic with the rank of staff sergeant.
Early in his working career, Tom and his four brothers worked for the Peyer Brothers Well Drilling Company. He later worked at Creamery Package in Fort Atkinson, and Hawthorne Melody Dairy in Whitewater as an electrical and mechanical engineer, eventually retiring from Hawthorne Melody.
On June 4, 1955, Tom married Grace N. Olson.
Tom loved fixing things in his shop, riding and restoring cycles, repairing boat motors, fishing, playing guitar, writing songs, caring for his cats, and loved giving out advice.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Grace Peyer, Whitewater; four children, Valerie (Steve) Stelse, Greenfield, Claire (Mike) Schadewald, Port Washington, Rickie (fiancée Lorice Woller) Peyer, Whitewater, and Brian (Kristi) Peyer, Franklin; grandchildren, Anastasia, Nathaniel, Zachariah, Douglas, Thomas, Correna (Dustin), Ryan, April (Mike), Ashlee (Larry), Maria, and Daniel; and great-grandchildren, Christopher, Nuh, Ameena, Silas, Keegan, and Rickee Marie.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Amelia Barty and Clara Hamilton, and four brothers, John, Fred, Robert, and Gordon Peyer.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 11 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church, Whitewater, with Rev. Steven Hanson officiating. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater.
Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, June 17 at the Nitardy Funeral Home Chapel, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, and after 10 a.m., on Tuesday at the church until the time of the services.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson for the care they gave to Tom.
For online guest book, visit www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.
