Thomas Joseph Ness, 71
Thomas Joseph Ness, 71, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Father’s Day, June 16, 2019, after fighting cancer for the last 6 months.
He was born June 19th, 1947 to the late Lawrence and Eleanor Niespodziani in Stevens Point.
He attended P.J. Jacobs High School and graduated in 1965. He met the love of his life, Marlene Okray, in high school and they were married in June of 1967, celebrating 52 years of marriage this year on June 10.
He proudly served his country in the Air Force from 1966-1970 with a tour in Vietnam serving as a military police officer and Minute Man Missile Guard. Upon his return, he continued to proudly serve the City of Stevens Point as a police officer and narcotics detective. He was a police officer for 22 years and retired after being injured while training.
After his retirement, he became very involved with volunteering in the city. He volunteered as a Lifeline Coordinator for Ministry Medical for over 20 years. He also volunteered with the school district, working at the Charles F. Hernandez Alternative High School becoming the head of the woodworking class.
He enjoyed being able to teach the younger generation the art of woodworking and all that could be created. He also served on St. Stephens Church Council and the Board of Lincoln Center.
He was most proud of his family and especially his one and only grandson, Evan. They spent countless hours together; he taught Evan the art of woodworking, went on countless adventures such as zip-lining; traveling to Mount Rushmore and Ellsworth Air Force Base; Houston, Texas to see Johnson Space Center; and countless other places and making memories. Evan and “PaPa” were best of friends and always had a way of having fun or finding fun and trouble.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene, Stevens Point, daughter, Lisa (Mike) Scheidler, grandson Evan, Wausau; brothers, Jim (Elly) Ness, Phoenix, Airz., Edward (Katie) Niespodziani, Columbus, Ind., John (Robin) Niespodziani, North Carolina; and sisters, Bernadette Radler, Waupaca, and Margaret (Kurt) Andersen, Stevens Point. He is further survived by multiple nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Rosemary and infant brother Joseph.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 21, 2019, at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Stevens Point. Burial with full military honors will be in the Guardian Angel Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Friday morning at the church. Pisarski Funeral home is honored to be serving the family.
For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the Wausau VA Outpatient Clinic for all of their care and support through this very tough time and Aspirus Home Hospice, especially Donna, Spencer, and Theresa for all of their kindness and compassion they have shown.