Thomas F. Schindele

Thomas F. Schindele Thomas F. Schindele passed away on March 15th, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon after an extended battle with cancer. Tom was born in Malta, Montana to a family of 15 children on August 19th, 1939, to Andrew and Emily (Bezdicek) Schindele. He was baptized into the Catholic Church on October 16th, 1940, in Poplar, Montana by his uncle Fr. Valerian Bezdicek and was confirmed on October 14th, 1951 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Poplar, Montana. Tom was an accomplished high school athlete and graduated from Poplar High School on May 23rd, 1957. He served in the Army Reserves and received an honorable discharge on October 31st, 1964. In that same year, Tom and his 3 children moved to Great Falls, Montana. While living in Great Falls, Tom worked in the dairy and food distribution business before moving to Wyoming. In Wyoming, Tom worked in the oilfield, eventually retiring from Texaco. After his retirement he continued to stay busy by delivering the mail on a rural route in the Gillette, Wyoming area. Tom enjoyed many activities outside of work, which included slow pitch softball, bowling, golf, hunting and fishing. He was also an avid gardener and maintained multiple gardens. He was even known to bake an apple pie or two. Tom was a lifetime member of the Great Falls Elks Lodge and for many years was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corp. Tom married Denise Rada on September 9th, 1959 in Wolf Point, Montana. Together they had three children, Colette, Kevin and Randy. Tom and Denise divorced in 1964. Tom will be forever remembered and loved by his three children, Colette (Clay) Skurdal, their children Kendra Skurdal, Ian Skurdal and Lexie Skurdal; Kevin (Shelia Cottrell) Schindele, their children Brooke Cottrell and Kari (Zac) Cleveland, their children Trygg and Teak; Randy (Rachel) Schindele, their children Savannah Schindele, Bodin Schindele and Hunter Schindele; five brothers; five sisters; as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.