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Thomas Meredith Obituary

Thomas "Toby" H. Meredith

Thomas "Toby" Harland Meredith, age 71 of Cecil, formerly of Appleton, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013 after a 14-year battle with cancer. Though he struggled with cancer, he continued to live a full life pursuing his many interests and enjoying his home on Shawano Lake. Toby was born February 21, 1941 in Appleton, the only child of the late Francis "Tom" and Ethel (Riehl) Meredith. He lived on a farm in Shiocton until the third grade when the family moved to Appleton. Graduating from Appleton West High School in 1959, Toby received All Conference honors in football. On June 8, 1963 Toby was united in marriage to Gail Reffke with whom he looked forward to celebrating 50 years of marriage this year. In 1960 he began working for the Wisconsin Telephone Company as a lineman and worked his way into management. With divestiture, he transferred to AT&T, retiring December 31, 1989. Never one to stand still for long, he became a founding partner in Wire Technologies, Inc., a communications company, on January 1, 1990. With his hard work and likable nature, the company prospered. He retired from Wire Technologies in 2000. Toby was proud to have earned his pilot's license. He loved all sports both as a player and a fan. In the 60's and 70's he played fast pitch softball for Pond Sport Shop, Maritime, Bleiers and Jack's Rosehill. He was well known for his talent as a catcher. As his sons grew, he enjoyed coaching them in their sports activities. He was an avid snowmobiler, boater, ATVer and golfer. Toby had a special fondness for animals particularly his Dobermans. Since his retirement, he loved playing Sheepshead with the North Shore group and the Riehl cousins. Monthly meetings with his high school friends, The Magnificent Seven, were filled with great stories and tales of their youth. Restoring a 1941 Chevy pickup and a 1962 F85 Oldsmobile became labors of love. Toby was a true people person. He loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren. He could walk into a room of people as a stranger, but when he left, he left as a friend. He was a generous and honest man who was always willing to lend a helping hand to others. He was often the "life of the party" and his family and friends will all have special memories of good times and laughter with Toby.



Toby will be deeply missed by: his wife, Gail; his sons, Tim (Lisa) and Steve (Deborah); his grandchildren, Jordan, Chase, Kyler, Kasey, Kally, Karly; brother-in-law, Wayne Reffke; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Pam Neubauer; niece, Becca (Gabe) and his Godchild, Lindsay. He is further survived by: an aunt, Grace Krabbe; uncle, Arthur Krause; and many cousins and friends including Bob Henning, Toby's boyhood friend since the 3rd grade, whom he thought of as a brother.

Toby was preceded in death by: his parents; parents-in-law, Harry and Dolly Reffke; sister-in-law, Marj Prokop; and several aunts and uncles.

A celebration of Toby's life will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1254 S. Union Street, Shawano, where he was a member and served as usher and committee member, on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:00am. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9:00am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at the AMC Foundation, the Kathleen A. Defferding Fund, 1818 N. Meade Street, Appleton, WI 54911. Please make checks payable to AMC and place Toby's name in the memo. Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.

www.swedbergfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appleton Post-Crescent on Jan. 22, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
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Michael Franzke

January 24, 2013

Many great high school memories. Rest in peace, Toby.

Leroy and Verne Thiel

January 23, 2013

Sorry to hear about Toby,Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to you, Gail and your families, . Seems like yesterday you bought the house on Telulah St, from us, Thiel Const. Treasure all the great Memories you had throughout the years.

January 23, 2013

Gail,Tim and Steve-
Our thoughts are with you,and our hearts are full of the hundreds of wonderful memories we shared with you.
Dave and Jo Trinrud

James Brown

January 23, 2013

Dear Meredith Family- We were very sorry to hear about your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
James Brown & Family

Tom Verkuilen

January 23, 2013

Gail, Tim and Steve: Who ever wrote the obit summed up for all of us what made Toby the unique special person he was born to be. He was in so many ways among the best of friends any man could hope to know.
Only time and distantace keep me from sharing in the clebration of Toby's life on Thursday. Know only that the day will be for me, one of smiles and tears as I remember a fantastic Man and mourn the reilization that his special greatness will never be ours to share again

January 23, 2013

Hello Gail. Tim, and Stephen, So sorry about your Husband, and Father. As a first cousin to Tobey, and Tobey being in my wedding, we had many GREAT memories, card playing with the Aunts, cousin, and when Tobey started the First Cousins Get Together at your place on Shawano Lake, and now it has and will continue in his memoray, we know his attendance will always be there with us, as we celebrate the wonderful life Tobey had here on earth and will continue in heaven. Larry & Sue Riehl

January 23, 2013

May you find comfort and peace in your memories. With Love and Sympathy, Delores (Stark) Holmes and family

DANIEL MAGNUSON

January 23, 2013

Dear Gail and Family. Toby, had a heart of gold, I know that!! Back in 1964 Toby, and his buddies noted a young little kid needed a new baseball mitt, the one this young kid had was a hand me dowm one, wear out mitt. he came from a family, of 9, and his mother made end meat, of what they had. Toby surprized that young kid with a new baseball mitt of his own. 48 years later, that litter kid and still remember that day. Toby was a carrying person to all kids. Love You Toby RIP That Little Kid

January 22, 2013

Gail and family, Wayne, Pam and family
So sorry to hear of Toby's passing. It is never easy but, knowing what a great man he was and having wonderful memories will help carry you through.
You are all in my thought and prayers
Kris Otis (Czaplicki)
Mike and Greg's sister

Traci (De Young) Kohler

January 22, 2013

Gail, Tim and Steve,
When my mother called to tell me about Toby's passing, we had such a great conversation about the fun times our family had with your family at Shawano Lake. May these and all the loving memories you have carry you through this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.

January 22, 2013

Gail and Sons and family,
My sister just emailed me to tell me of Tobys passing. Eric and I are so sorry for your loss for all of you. He was a FIGHTER You need to be proud. Just to leat you know we are thinking of you and you are all in our prayers. God give you strength.
Carol and Eric Fischer

Don & Clarice Rouse

January 22, 2013

Gee Gail, Clarice and I are so sorry to hear of Tobys passing.
As much as we have wanted to visit you and Toby over the past years but Due to our own health problems we have been unable to make that trip.
I was especially pleased to know Toby .

Toby was always well liked wherever we went to officiate football games.
He was a great official .
As a friend, he was the best .

January 22, 2013

Tim and Steve-very sorry to hear about your Dad.During the TCC West build I got to meet him on occasion--very dad and you both have my sympathy along with the rest of your Family during this trying time....
Cory Hughes

January 22, 2013

Gail It's been many years since I last saw Toby, we had so many good times togeather You have my sincere prayers and love. I;m sure he will be missed by all. Bob Stevenson Appleton

Judy and Bud Koehnke

January 22, 2013

Dear Gail, We are so sorry to hear of Tobys passing. So many wonderful memories from softball and living down the street on Telulah. Lots of good times. Let me extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Carl and Gayle Keel

January 22, 2013

Just wanted you to know that we are thinking of all of you at this most difficult time and the days ahead. May your memories carry you onward as Toby would have wanted for all of you. We will remember him full of smiles, his laugh, and wonderful wit and truly missed all of you when you didn't bowl with us any longer in Appleton. Thanks for the memories, and may you sleep in peace and without pain.... Good night Toby.....

Shari & Scott Linskens/Cole

January 22, 2013

Gail,
Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family during this most difficult time. May the wonderful memories of such an amazing man provide comfort. We feel truly blessed to have made some lasting memories with you and Toby.

Alice Brusky

January 22, 2013

I am so saddended to hear of Toby's death, Gail. My deepest sympathy to you and your children...I KNOW the pain of loss that you are feeling. His memories will surround you like his arms around you. My prayers are with you all.

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