Thomas H. Ottery

1930 - 2016

Ottery, Thomas H.

Thomas Herbert Ottery, age 86, of Waupun, formerly of Fond du Lac, died, Thursday, October 20, 2016 with his family at his side.

He was born in Fond du Lac on April 24, 1930 in Fond du Lac, son of the late Herbert and Ethyl (Coyne) Ottery.

On August 1, 1953 he married Mary C. Miller in Fond du Lac. She passed away and went to be with the Lord on January 5, 1998. On May 6, 2000 he married Jane (Elitzer) Maastricht.

Tom worked side by side with his dad on the family dairy farm. In 1947, Tom purchased his first milk route and made many innovative changes in the milk hauling industry. He organized the first bulk system of hauling milk in Fond du Lac and surrounding counties in the early 1950's. In 1966, Tom built a milk transfer station which allowed milk from the farm trucks to be transferred to semi-tankers for over the road long distance transport. Tom Ottery Transit, Inc. serviced over 500 dairy farmers and delivered their milk to various dairies throughout the Midwest, Eastern and Southern United States. The business is now operated by his two sons Tom and Bob Ottery. In the early 1950's, Tom aided in organizing the Wisconsin Milk Hauler's Association. He served as Vice President, Secretary and was a Board of Director until his retirement in 1993. In the early 1970's, he aided in organizing the National Federation of Milk Haulers and he served as their Secretary. He was a member of Wisconsin Motor Carriers.

Tom was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church Eden and currently a member of Shepherd of the Hills parish and also the Knights of Columbus. Tom enjoyed traveling, golf, baseball, football, and playing cards. Tom became legally blind in 2007 but continued to find joy spending time with his family and had a strong faith in the Lord. He believed he was truly blessed with two wonderful wives, eight children, 18 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. Tom was a very kind and caring man. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Tom is survived by his wife, Jane; his three children, daughter, Patricia (Paul) Toutant of Fox Lake, and sons, Thomas J. (Laurie) Ottery of Fond du Lac, and Robert Ottery (fiance' Wanda Layman) of Fond du Lac, four stepchildren, Ralph (Linda) Maastricht of San Antonio, TX, Robert J. (Roberta) Maastricht of Omaha, NE, Tina Marie Smith of Waupun, and Randall Maastricht of Van Dyne, 18 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister, Alice Immel, of Dotyville, a brother, Jerry (Louise) Ottery of Campbellsport, one brother-in-law, James (Lucia) Baldauf of Fond du Lac.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary, a daughter, Deborah, two sisters, Marge Baldauf and Patricia Basler, two brothers-in-law, Gordon Immel and Jack Basler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church W1562 County Road B, Eden, WI 53019. Rev. Mark Jones will officiate. Entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum in Fond du Lac.

Visitation: Family and friends may call at the church Tuesday morning from 9:30-10:30 am.

For additional information, please call the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud (920) 999-2291 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net