Thomas M. Schwartzel
West Lafayette - Thomas M. Schwartzel, 81 of West Lafayette passed away peacefully at his home at 10:20 pm on Monday, May 18, 2020. He was born October 4, 1938 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late William and Ermina Yokel Schwartzel.
He graduated from Carrick High School in Pittsburgh in 1956. He served with the US Navy from 1956 to 1962. He graduated from Point State Park College Automation Institute in 1960. He worked travel construction for Swindell -Dressler Co., Pittsburgh for several years. He was a member of the pilot class of the Indiana Police Academy in 1969 and served with the West Lafayette Police Dept from 1969 to 1970. He was the head chef at the Elks Country Club BPOE 143 for several years, and retired from Purdue University in 2008, where he was an expediter at the power plant.
Tom enjoyed travel and was an avid Purdue Sports fan and a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Tom served several years as president and board member for the Blackbird Farms Homeowner's Assn. He also served as a member of the West Lafayette Traffic Commission from 2016 through 2018.
In Lafayette on August 12, 1972 he married Paulette Rita Roth and she survives. Also surviving is a son Thomas Jared (TJ) (Natalie) Schwartzel of West Lafayette and grandchildren Stuart Henry, Skyler Lynn and Spencer Wyatt Schwartzel at home. He was preceded in death by 4 brothers William, Robert, Donald and Harry.
Private family services will be held on Saturday May 23rd , friends may join the webcast of the service at 10 AM by going to zoom.us, click on join meeting and entering the meeting number 7654904234 and entering the password tmg2020. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 11 or to the Indiana Veteran's Home West Lafayette, IN.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I will miss our talks and hearing his infectious laugher. He was so much fun. So greatful to have him in my life. ,Uncle Tom will be deeply missed.
Robin Schwartzel-Henn
May 24, 2020
Dave and I always enjoyed Tom's dynamic personality and great humor. Dave is going to miss Tom's Sunday morning sports talk calls.
Marianne Eagan
May 23, 2020
Tom was my Uncle and Godfather. I have many fond memories of him in my childhood. He was always joking, laughing, and smiling. And that is how I will remember him.
Stephanie Farra
May 23, 2020
Paulette,
We are so sorry to hear about Tom. We will always remember his smile and laugh!
Hugs & prayers to you and your family.
Gary & Sharon Rudolph
May 22, 2020
What a one-of-a-kind brother-in-law were you!!! I surely will miss your fun-loving way and your corny jokes. May you rest in peace.
Judy Hunt
May 22, 2020
I worked with Tom at the Purdue Power Plant, we had a lot of good times, and we always got a lot of work done, too! Tom was a good man, and always a good friend, he will be missed by many!
Stanley Burkart
May 21, 2020
Tom was my uncle. He and my father Bud (Harry Kleppner) were half-brothers, but very much alike.
I remember my uncle when he lived in the Pittsburgh, PA area. I was just a young kid. So were my brother & sister (Dan & Lori).
He was our favorite uncle - the 'funny' one. I remember us kids going on a trampoline of some type and Uncle Tommy and my dad joining us. Big mistake! Both were sore the next day. It was fun.
Uncle Tommy was really good at telling stories and making everyone laugh. Like the pet bird that sat on his glasses and pecked at his sandwich. LOL
Time goes on and I remember visiting him in Indiana at the Elks Club - best steak ever!!
Although we did not see / talk to each other often, I thought about him. About 3-4 months ago I called him and we had a great conversation. He was just as I remembered him. Same voice, same laugh, same sense of humor.
Although we will all miss him, I do believe we will be reunited again. Until that time, may he rest easy.
Marianne Kleppner
Marianne Kleppner
May 21, 2020
Tom was a joy to have around. He always seemed to have some much energy and quite a sense of humor. Tom and I shared many memories of the Pittsburgh area. He was a great worker and would do anything that was asked of him. He will be greatly missed.
Bill Miller
May 20, 2020
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