Thomas J. Yelich Sr

Thomas J. Yelich Sr. 90, 2901 N. 7th Street, Wausau, died Wednesday, April 13, 2005 in Palliative Care at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born August 1, 1914 in Ironwood, Mich., son of the late Thomas and Anna (Mesich) Yelich. On August 9, 1941, he married Juel C. Nolan at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wakefield, Mich. She survives. Thomas graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, Mich. and continued his education at Ironwood Junior College for two years and the University of Washington for one year. He graduated from Superior State Teachers College, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in education, and continued his education earning his Masters Degree in History from the University of Iowa. Thomas started teaching in Osceola, where he coached football and basketball and then moved to Ladysmith in 1939, where he coached football and basketball. In 1942, he entered the United States Navy Gene Tunney Physical Fitness Program as Chief Petty Officer in Norfolk, Va. He then went on to Farragut U. S. Naval Station as C.P.O. in Bootcamp Training of recruits. In 1945, he was transferred to San Diego Naval Training Station, where he was honorably discharged in November 1945. Returning to Ladysmith in 1948, he then transferred to the Wausau School District History Department, where he enjoyed coaching football and hockey. For 16 years, he served as line coach when Wausau High School football was considered one of the premier football teams in the country. Thomas was a long standing member of the Wisconsin Education Association, local MCRO, Knights of Columbus and American Legion Montgomery Plant Post #10. As an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau, he served in various committees before transferring to St, Michael Catholic Church due to a change in residence to Forest Park Village. Among his many interests, he enjoyed golfing, fishing and traveling with his wife Juel to visit their grandchildren. Survivors include, his wife, Juel Yelich, Wausau; three sons, Nolan (Hope) Yelich, Williamsburg, Va., Thomas Jr. (Gail) Yelich, Sun Prairie, Wis. and Dan (Jane Ivol) Yelich, St. Louis Mo.; seven grandchildren, Scott (Denise) Yelich, Tammy (Tom) Hargrove, Ty (Michelle) Yelich, Tracy (Roger) Schesel, Rebecca, Annie and Tommy Yelich; seven great grandchildren, Katelyn, Ryan, Joseph, Megan and Coby Schesel, Tyler and Autumn Yelich; one sister, Ann Klimas, Milwaukee; one sister in law, Dora Nolan and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday April 18, 2005 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch will preside. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Sunday, April 17, 2005 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Monday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish vigil service Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the Sixth Street Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com Memorials may be directed to St. Michael School Library.