Obituaries

Thomas “Tom” D. Newman, age 84, passed away on peacefully at home on Monday, February 3, 2025, with his devoted wife Jane by his side after an extended battle with cancer. He was born on April 29, 1940, in Park Falls, Wisconsin, the son of Albert and Esther (Erickson) Newman. He was married to Jane Russell on November 30, 1964, at Sacred Hearts Church in Sun Prairie, WI.

Tom graduated from Fifield High School in 1958 and worked a variety of jobs to pay for his way through UW Stevens Point in 1965 and to complete a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation from UW Madison, class of 1969.

Upon graduation, Tom started a long and productive career with the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as a counselor in the Madison office. He always considered himself lucky to be able to assist people with impediments to employment in their efforts to gain independence. Tom served as president of the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Association twice and was often asked to serve on special projects. As a counselor, he also enjoyed working with numerous graduate students in the UW Master’s degree program by supervising their internship experiences.

Tom was (in his words) a mediocre but avid athlete who enjoyed Madison’s city league sports. He played on basketball, volleyball, softball, and tennis teams for many years with a great group of friends. He was a long-time ticket holder for Badger Basketball and spent many summer days golfing with his buddies. For many years after retirement, he continued learning through UW Plato classes on environmental issues.

In addition to his wife, Jane, Tom is survived by his brother, Lee (Nancy) Newman; children, Mark (Brenda Morris) Newman and Jennifer Bielke; grandchildren, Marissa, Natasha, and Logan Beilke; sister-in-law, Delores Newman; brother-in-law, Robert (Ruth) Russell; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Laura Jean Newman and Shirley (Bill) Canovan; and brothers, Donald, David, Earl (Carol), Ray, James, and Bernard Newman.

A Celebration of Tom’s Life will held at 12:30 P.M. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave, Madison, WI. A visitation will be held from 11:00A.M. until the time of service. A light lunch will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N Sherman Ave

608-249-8257