Thomas Ray Minnich

Thomas R. "Tom" Minnich, Hilbert, age 79, passed peacefully on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Brillion West Haven with his wife at his side, following and eight and a half year battle with Lewy Body Disease. He was born in Napoleon, OH on July 16, 1946 to the late Donald T. "Red" and Annabelle (Blair) Minnich.

Tom served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He refueled B-52's and other jets and planes at U-Tapao Airfield in Thailand. Tom first met his future wife, Debbie, at the A&W Root Beer Stand in Camp Douglas, while serving at Volk Field Air Base (1968-1969), following his tour overseas. He and Debbie married on June 21, 1969 at St. James Catholic Church in Camp Douglas. They lived in Ohio for several years, before moving back to Wisconsin in 1974.

He worked as a foundry maintenance supervisor and apartment maintenance manager. He enjoyed watching sports, especially football, the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Ohio State, and others. In his younger years Tom loved to travel, play softball and ride his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle and Ski Doo snowmobile.

He was especially proud to be a foster parent for over twenty years of over fifty foster children.

Tom is survived by his wife, Debbie ( Deborah A Birkeness) of Hilbert; children: Amee (Minnich) Davis of Hilbert; Nichole (Jason) Riegert of Little Chute; Thomas B. "TJ" (Ginny) Minnich of Kaukauna ; and Randi Minnich of Hilbert; grandchildren: Blair C. Minnich of Kaukauna; Ethan and Michael Riegert of Little Chute; foster children: Eric (Denise) Jackson and Alexx Daum; and brothers and sisters-in-law: David (Judy) Birkeness, Dawn (Michael) Washburn, Sue (Bill) Miller, Diane (Rob) Fenske, John Nicholson, and Karen (John) Birkeness.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Wanemacher; Debbie's parents, Coleman and Barbara (Sebranek) Birkeness; and brother and sister-in-law: John H Birkeness and Mary B Nicholson.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org) or other dementia organizations of your choice.

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