Tom Lyons Sr. of Maple Lawn Farm of Westfield, Wisconsin has passed away. His full obituary is below. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Tom Lyons Jr and his family.
Thomas Charles Lyon, 67, died at home Monday, June 10, 2013. He waged a great battle against colon cancer and its complications and COPD. He was filled with optimism about his disease and believed that every day was a good day.
He was born Sept. 4, 1945, to Fred and Leila Johnson Lyon and lived his life on the land he loved and farmed in the town of Westfield. He was active in school sports and 4-H, showing beef cattle at local shows and the state fair.
He graduated in 1967 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS Degree in Meat and Animal Science and was a member of the judging team. He worked at the old Hasty Tasty/Amber Grid. He married Teresa Robinson on Sept. 9, 1967, at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Montello. They entered into partnership with his parents at Maple Lawn Farm, and moved to the farm in 1972. Shortly after, they took over the dairy and cattle business following his father’s death. They were blessed with three children, Tricia Renee, Tiffany Anne and Thomas Robert.
Tom expanded the business by selling herds and replacement heifers, buying those animals throughout the state. While he sent thousands of heifers to his largest market, Mexico, he also sold to Central America, Venezuela, Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Turkey, Greece and Japan. He also had customers throughout the U.S., including large dairies in the western states.
At home, he continued to build his registered Black and White Holstein herd, adding Red and Whites as well as Jerseys. Cattle carrying his ‘L-Maples’ prefix did well in the show ring, winning multiple All-American and All-Wisconsin honors. He was proud to have won the Premier Breeder award for Red and Whites at World Dairy Expo. His most recent accomplishment was having bred the winning spring calf of the Red and White show at WDE. She was just named Junior Champion of the New York Spring Show for her new owners. Tom was honored by being chosen Distinguished Breeder by the Wisconsin Holstein Association. Maple Lawn was featured on the cover of “Hoard’s Dairyman” annual judging contest. The farm was host to many judging teams, international visitors and was on a tour during the National Holstein Convention. The farm provided project animals for many youth and employed many young men through the high school ag work program.
Tom was a member of the Westfield School Board for nine years and was proud to have been presented with the “Penny Pincher Award” at his retirement. He was still serving as supervisor for the town of Westfield, beginning his 27th year. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and firmly believed prayers pulled him through his illnesses. He did most of his business on his good word and a handshake.
He sponsored and coached his son’s club basketball teams and enjoyed seeing youths excel and have fun, whether it was in sports or in the show ring. He was proud of his children and glad to have son Tommy come back to the farm after graduating from UW. His health prompted Tom and Teri to turn the milking operation over to Tommy and his wife, Brittney, two years ago. He still was managing the field work and doing heifer business until his death. He never tired of talking about dairy.
In later years, grandkids kept him going through each health crisis. He loved giving bobcat and “putt putt” rides and stalking turkeys and the “big buck” with oldest grandson, Carson. (Although many have disputed his hunting skills.) Tom was a Badger fan, having season tickets for many years; he cheered on the Packers, Bucks and Brewers. He never tired of talking victories with his cohorts in neighboring states. (His phone wasn’t answered in case of a loss.)
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Teri; children, Tricia (Henry) Sautin, Orfordville, Tiffany (Mark) Jolicoeur, Colorado Springs, and Tommy (Brittney), Westfield; grandchildren, Molley Anne Sautin, Adam Stephen and Sophie Rochelle Jolicoeur, Carson Thomas and Austin Michael Lyon; sisters, Kay (Roger) Reetz, Mequon, Jeanne Bengsch, Beloit, and Sue (Tim) Slowey, Westfield; brother-in-law, Al Imm, Cottage Grove; aunt, Roberta Johnson; sister-in-law, Sheryl Robinson; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Barbara Imm, Charlene Marquardt, and infant sister, Cherie; brothers-in-law, Terry Bengsch and Jim Marquardt; nephew, Mike Imm; infant Imm siblings; niece, Pam Reetz; and in-laws, Bob and Wilma Robinson.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15th at the First Presbyterian Church of Westfield. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church and again 9 a.m. until the hour of service Saturday. Pastor Brenda Pulver will preside and burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, town of Westfield. At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to a memorial that is being established in Tom’s name.