Thomas J. Wilhelm

NEW BAVARIA – Thomas J. Wilhelm, 82, of New Bavaria, passed away at 12:46 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at OSU Wexner Medical Center, Columbus.  He was born November 23, 1942, in McComb to the late Wiley and Martha (Bostleman) Wilhelm.  On June 22, 1963, he married Mary Bellman, who survives in New Bavaria.

He is survived by 11 children: Annette (Allen) Niese of Miller City, Douglas Wilhelm of Sullivan, Matthew Wilhelm of Leipsic, Adam (Kimberly) Wilhelm of Leipsic, Melissa (Matt) Fischer of Ottawa, Andrew (Amber) Wilhelm of Leipsic, Thomas Wilhelm, Jr. of Leipsic, Barbara (Brad) Duling of Ottawa, Benedict (Jodi) Wilhelm of Ottawa, Nathaniel Wilhelm of Leipsic and Nicholas (Kaylee) Wilhelm of New Bavaria; 23 grandchildren: Eric (Hailey) Niese, Ryan (Lauren) Niese, Katelyn (Curtis) Schroeder, Austin, Taylor, Chelsea, Brooke and Levi Wilhelm, Gage, Morgan and Logan Wilhelm, Dane, Connor and Kierstin Duling, Parker, Kiera, Leigha and Mylie Wilhelm, Hunter, Reese, Colton, Jase and Elizabeth Wilhelm; 2 step-grandchildren: Whitney Fischer and Taylor Fischer; 7 great-grandchildren: Maizy, Casen, Cole, Noah, Wyatt and Jackson Niese and Rylee Wilhelm; and 5 siblings: Tim (Lorraine) Wilhelm, Peter (Julie) Wilhelm, Wiley (Nancy) Wilhelm, Stephen (Sandra) Wilhelm and Daniel (Janice) Wilhelm.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a son, Anthony Wilhelm; a grandson, Mark Niese; a sister, Martha "Suzie" (Ed) Pilger.

Thomas retired from General Motors, Defiance after 30 years of service and was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria and the Ottawa Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed farming, hunting, gardening, working on antique tractors, smoking and processing meat, housing purple martins and helping with Wiley Wilhelm and Sons Fruit Farm.  Above all, Thomas was most proud of and loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 25, 2025, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Hamler with Fr. Nick Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Bavaria. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Leipsic and one hour prior to Mass on Monday at the church. There will be a rosary service at 8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Putnam County Homecare and Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com

Putnam County Homecare and Hospice
575 OG Road Suite 3, PO Box 312, Ottawa OH 45875
Tel: 1-419-523-4449
Web: http://www.pchh.net