Thomas G. Soles

Thomas G. Soles, 78, of Fond du Lac, died Friday, October 24, 2014, at home.He was born on March 25, 1936, in Fond du Lac, a son of Harold J. and Josephine L. Abel Soles. When he was very young, the family moved to Eagle River where his father owned a Ford dealership. Upon returning to Fond du Lac during World War II, Tom attended Wilson and Lincoln Elementary Schools, Roosevelt Junior High School, and graduated from Fond du Lac Senior High School in 1954.In 1958, Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. His first accounting position was with Lear Siegler Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also worked in accounting positions at J.I. Case Company in Winneconne, Wisconsin Wire Company in Appleton and from 1971-1982, at Hutter Construction Company in the capacities of comptroller and corporate secretary. In 1982, Tom established Soles’ Accounting, serving as consultant to a number of small construction companies, assisting with the computerization of their accounting systems.On August 26, 1972, he married Kathleen “Katie” McMillan at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Beaver Dam. They have resided in Fond du Lac since their marriage.Tom was a member of the United States Naval Reserves for 12 years. He was a Scoutmaster in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster in Oshkosh. He was a member of Elks Lodge #57 for 39 years. In past years, he served in various capacities in the Fond du Lac Area United Way campaigns. Since 1985, Tom dedicated his time and energy to various conservation organizations. He led or supported initiatives that included promotion of waterfowl conservation; the perpetuation of fishery through reef creation and restocking of Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers; and lobbying for protection of state waterways. He held memberships in a number of conservation organizations. He was a member of the Winnebago Flyway Chaper of Ducks Unlimited since 1972, serving as chair, twice; Walleyes for Tomorrow (statewide Board of Directors) serving, over time, as comptroller, president, chairman of the board, and project manager; Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin, serving as executive director for a number of years. He also belonged to local and area Walleye and Musky chapters, and served on committees studying and promoting land conservation.He is survived by his wife, Katie; three children: Thomas H. Soles (Helen Sosinski), Gary J. Soles (Nancy Martin), and Elizabeth (Doug) Staab; five grandchildren: Bryan Soles, Matthew (Tammy Werner) Soles, Tesla Soles, Christina Staab, and Samantha Staab; and one great-granddaughter, Molly Soles. He is further survived by his brother, Roger (Carol) Soles; his sister, Arleen (Junior) Olson; a brother-in-law, Richard McMillan; four sisters-in-law: Elaine Dorn, Patricia McMillan, Violet McMillan, and Inez McMillan; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; as well as many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law, Daniel and Helen McMillan; five brothers-in-law: Malcolm McMillan, Eugene McMillan, Winston McMillan, Wilbur Quandt and Glenn Dorn; four sisters-in-law: Joyce McMillan, LaVita McMillan, Marjorie Quandt and Patricia Soles. He is further preceded in death by his aunts and uncles: Helen Soles, Edward Soles, Lorene (Al) Walgenbach, Lillian Abel, George (Mary) Abel, and Birdie (Bill) Galow, and by former daughter-in-law, Robin Soles.A Eucharist of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 51 West Division Street, Fond du Lac, with The Very Rev. Brian Beno officiating, and the Rev. Deacon Michael Hackbarth and Rev. Michael Morning assisting.Cremation will take place with burial in Rienzi Cemetery.The visitation will be from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac, and on Wednesday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.A memorial service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, at Mach, by the officers of Fond du Lac Elks Lodge #57.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Fond du Lac Humane Society or the Fond du Lac Salvation Army. Unspecified memorials received will be directed to other organizations Tom supported.

Thomas G. Soles

March 25, 1936 - October 24, 2014