Timothy J. DeLawyer passed away at his home in Shell Lake, Wisconsin on Friday, December 7, 2012. Tim was 63 years old. He was born on March 24, 1949 to Clarence and Bonita (Skidmore) DeLawyer. After a strong battle against cancer for four months, ultimately his heart wasn't able to fight any longer. Tim married his childhood sweetheart, Trudy Mahoney, on November 28, 1970. They had three children together: Erin, John, and Megan.
During his life Tim was actively involved in 4-H, FFA, choir, football, basketball and baseball. Sports continued into his collegiate years at UW-River Falls, where he played football and baseball for the Falcons. After college, Tim played one year of semi-professional football before suffering a career ending injury of a broken neck. Tim stayed involved in athletics by coaching all levels of baseball from Little League through American Legion, as well as home plate umpire at all levels.
Besides an extensive and rewarding life in athletics, one of Tim's greatest enjoyments was playing Santa Claus. Tim began his Santa career at the age of 12 at his family's parties and within a few years was being hired to entertain at local parties and family gatherings in the Amery area. His career spanned 51 years in which he listened to the many secret wishes of children, probably his favorite "job" of them all. If you ever met Santa in Spooner, it was probably Tim.
Tim wore many hats in his career, besides a Santa hat. He was a hired farm hand for Dave Paulson; Plant Manager of Cenex Co-operative in Marathon City and Deerfield, WI; Sales representative for Brave Harvestore, Menomonie, WI; and finished his career as a rural letter carrier for the USPS in Shell Lake, WI. Tim also served on the church council, Knights of Columbus, and flooded many hockey rinks at the City Park.
Tim was a faithful and dedicated follower of his children's and grandchildren's activities and was a spectator at countless: band concerts, volleyball, football, hockey, cheerleading, basketball, softball, baseball, wrestling and the county fair. He will be greatly missed and never replaced. Tim was preceded in death by his mother, Bonita Rose and sister in law, Charlene DeLawyer. He is survived by his loving wife, Trudy; father, Clarence DeLawyer; brother, David DeLawyer; children: Erin (Dan) Seckora, John (Kim) DeLawyer and Megan (Brian) Danielsen; seven grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m on Thursday, December 13, 2012 from St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Spooner, WI. A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 from the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, WI; 222 Harriman Ave. N, as well as from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the church. Casket bearers are, Ross Anderson, Dirk Benzer, Gary Crosby Jr., Wally Gougar, John Kokesh, Allan Lawrence, Wayne Lee, Dennis Malmer, Tim Van Meter, Bryon Ogilvie, Greg Park and Mike Stoner. Interment will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at the Deronda Cemetery in Amery.