Thomas J. Shetler Sr.

Thomas J. Shetler, Sr. 77, of Evansville, IN, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at St. Mary's Medical Center, surrounded by his family. Thomas was a graduate of Memorial High School and graduated from St. Edwards University in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army following graduation and, after serving, returned to Evansville and joined his father in Shetler Moving & Storage, Inc., and became Chairman and CEO in 1964. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Atlas Van Lines in 1972, serving as the Finance Chairman, and member of the Executive Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors of Atlas Canada for over 25 years. Tom was instrumental in taking Atlas Van Lines from the 6th largest moving company in the world to the 2nd largest – with sales nearing one billion dollars. He was active in the Republican Party, serving on the Knight Township Board of Trustees, Vanderburgh County Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Indiana State Board of Insurance, Campaign Chairman for Roger Zion's Election Committee in 1964, and was a Republican Precinct Committeeman. Tom was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Past President of Evansville Jaycees, and member of Jaycees' Old Timers, Board of Director of Evansville Chamber of Commerce, Past President of Indiana Movers Association, member of the Evansville Purple Aces Club, Downtown Quarterback Club, Kennel Club, and the Evansville Country Club. Tom and his wife enjoyed attending University of Evansville basketball games and following his grandchildren in their many sporting and other activities. He is survived by daughters, Karen and husband Mark Wargel of Evansville; and Lisa and husband Richard Koch of Evansville; sons, Tom, Jr., and wife Gail Shetler of Evansville; and Gary and wife Mary Ann Shetler of Evansville; brother, Robert O. and wife Candy Shetler of Evansville, IN; sisters, Suzanne Welborn; and Rebecca E. and husband Jerry Eckert, all of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Becky Clark, Natalie Pickerill, Alisann Elpers; John, Martha, Mary and Thomas III Shetler; Elissa, Emily, and Andrew Shetler; Kyla, Katelyn, and Kelsey Wargel; Megan, Melanie and Morgan Koch; great grandchildren, Emma, Anne, Maggie, and Lily Clark; James Elpers; and Christian Pickerill. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte, in 2008, having been married for 55 years; his parents, Joseph and Martha Shetler; and brother, Joseph B. Shetler, Jr. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714, and will continue on Monday, December 21, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with Fathers Bernard Etienne and Alex Zenthoefer officiating Entombment will be in St. Joseph Mausoleum. Memorial Contributions may be made to Angelman Syndrome Foundation, 4255 Westbrook Drive, Ste. 219, Aurora, IL 60504 or Evansville Interparochial Catholic High Schools, 520 S. Bennighof, Evansville, IN 47714. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com.