SGT (Ret) Thomas Michael "Tom" Wilk

Thomas Michael “Tom” Wilk entered this world on August 21, 1979, in Cheboygan, Michigan and departed this life on Saturday, October 7, 2023 in the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri having attained the age of 44 years. As a young boy, Tom grew up in St. Ignace where he attended school and graduated from St. Ignace High School with the Class of 1997. Shortly after graduation, Tom entered the United States Navy Seabees and was active with 8 deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Djibouti Africa, and several other humanitarian efforts. He transferred to the United States Army in 2009 to complete 17 years of duty and had attained the rank of Sergeant, earning several awards and commendations. Tom was a public servant even after retiring from the military. He served as a delegate for the Republican Party for Michigan Congressman Jack Bergmann’s office and was active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Wounded Warriors organizations. In his spare time, Tom enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing, and riding snowmobiles, Harley Davidson motorcycles and Corvettes. He was also very involved in politics and enjoyed keeping up with what was going on in the world. On September 7, 2005, Tom was united in marriage to Mona Jeanette Thompson in Tuscumbia, Missouri. They shared the last 18 years together and were blessed with three children: Madyson, Peton, and Lauren, who joined Mona’s daughter Kaylynn to complete their family. Family was important to Tom, and they will truly miss him. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife: Mona Wilk of the home; four children: Kaylynn Anderson of Taft, CA, Madyson, Peyton, and Lauren Wilk, all of Waynesville, MO; mother: Mary Wilk of St. Ignace, MI; father: Randy Stempki of St. Ignace, MI; one brother: David Kievit of Korea; aunts, uncles, other relatives, and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Richard and Marie Wilk; and paternal grandparents: Pearl and Frank Stempki. Even though he is gone from our sight, Tom’s love of family and country will live on in our hearts forever. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2023, in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Pastor Drew Simmons officiating. The songs “You Should Be Here” by Cole Swindell, “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley/Dolly Parton, “Still A Soldier” by Trace Adkins, “Standing Room Only” by Tim McGraw, “5 More Minutes” by Scotty McCreedy, and “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me were played. Inurnment with military honors followed in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville with military honors being provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of SGT (Ret) Tom Wilk and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

SGT (Ret) Thomas Michael "Tom" Wilk

August 21, 1979 - October 7, 2023