Thomas Hitchins
Thomas Hitchins, 86, of New Albin died Thursday evening, February 28, 2019 at Hillview Health Center in La Crosse, WI after battling cancer for three years. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Albin with a visitation two hours before Mass from 9-11 a.m. at the church Saturday. Rev. John Moser will be the Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, New Albin.
Thomas was born November 4, 1932 in New Albin to James L. and Margaret (Reburn) Hitchins. Thomas joined the United States Army in April of 1954. After basic training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX he completed Medical Corps Training for Quarters Masters at Fort Sam Houstin in San Antonio, TX. Tom was then assigned to Letterman Hospital in San Francisco, CA, where he worked in the Medical Supply Unit of the Hospital. In April of 1956, Tom was honorably discharged from the Army as Private 1st Class.
After his discharge, Tom lived in San Jose, CA and drove semi across country. In 2003, Tom came back to New Albin for a short time and then moved to La Crosse, WI. Tom enjoyed traveling and playing euchre. One of his travels was to go to Cuba (BC) before Castro took over.
Tom is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Dorothy Hitchins; his sister, Mary Kern of Waverly; his nieces and nephews, Paul and Kathy Callan of Onalaska, WI, James and Karen Hitchins of Lansing, Dave and Joyce Rzepiejewski of Onalaska, WI, Tom and Jody Adams of Onalaska, WI, Kevin and Julie Hitchins of Marshalltown, Linda Hitchins of Onalaska, WI, Joanne Hitchins of Farmington, MN, Brett and Denise Bienneman of Waverly, Linda Jenkins of Waverly, and Steve and Janet Maricle of Minong, WI; and 35 great-nieces and great-nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, James L. and Margaret A. Hitchins; a brother, Bernard Hitchins; one niece, Ashley Ann Walleser; and one nephew, Kaleb Donald Hitchins.
Honorary casketbearers are Tom’s nieces and nephews. Casketbearers are Josh Brown, Justin Brown, Brad Walleser, Kyle Hitchins, Bret Bienneman and Chris Jones.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing is helping the family with arrangements.
