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Thomas John “Tom” Schuler, 76, of Jacksonville, N.C. passed away peacefully at home Jan. 13, 2024.
Tom was born Sept. 10, 1947 in Sac City, the son of Willard and Edna (O’Rourke) Schuler. Tom grew up in Newell and graduated from Newell-Providence High School in 1965. After high school, Tom attended trade school in Minneapolis, Minn., before going to work for Ozark Air Lines in Chicago, Ill. Tom was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1967. Following his two years in the Army, Tom returned to his job at Ozark Air Lines in Chicago.
He transferred to St Louis, Mo. with Ozark, and then with Trans World Airlines. After retiring from TWA, Tom was a manager at a convenience store until he retired. In January 2007, Tom was united in marriage with Debbie Rilley. Tom and Debbie moved to Jacksonville, N.C. in 2016.
Tom was an avid hunter, enjoyed boating and was always handy with tools.
Tom is survived by his wife Debbie Schuler of Jacksonville; his sister Colleen (Neal) Degner of Wentzville, Mo.; brothers: Donald (Donna) Schuler of St. Charles, Mo.; Todd (Angela) Schuler of Bluffton, S.C.; Nolan (Kinda) Schuler of Manitou Springs, Colo.; and 12 nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Edna Schuler.
Services are being planned for a later date.
