Thomas M. Wahtola

Tom graduated from Michigan Technical University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He started his career in Escanaba, Michigan where he met Lois, his wife of 65 years. After a year of additional classes at Yale University in New Haven CT, he started at the Federal Highway Administration where he worked the rest of his career. He spent time in Charleston, WV and Madison WI before settling in Worthington OH.

Tom had many interests and was happiest when he was active. He enjoyed square dancing for over 50 years, dancing locally as well as attending weekend campouts with Ohio Square Campers. He and Lois had lifelong friends from their square-dancing days. Tom was an avid fan of “playing at golf” in his words. He enjoyed the fellowship of the Men’s Golf Group at All Saints Lutheran Church and was always game for a round of Putt Putt with his grandsons while vacationing in Myrtle Beach. Tom was very active at All Saints Lutheran Church. He volunteered in many capacities throughout his life, including helping with Meals on Wheels, the food pantry with which All Saints Lutheran Church was associated and Habitat for Humanity. He spent many years in retirement working two days a week on Habitat for Humanity houses. After growing up in the Keweenaw Bay area of the Upper Peninsula Michigan, Tom had a strong affinity for the outdoors. He spent many vacations camping with his family. Tom and Lois were fortunate to have an Airstream Travel Trailer and went on a Wally Byam caravan every summer for 10 years after retirement. They visited many areas of Canada and the U.S. on these caravans including Newfoundland; Churchill Manitoba to see the polar bears; New York, City; the Mississippi River; New Mexico and Arizona.

Tom will be greatly missed by his loving wife Lois J. (Beckstrom) Wahtola; son Scott Wahtola (Tana); daughter Wendy Timmons (Jeff), grandsons Jonathan, Davin and Kai; sisters Marilyn Peterson (Jerry deceased); Susie Boley (Frank); Martha Aho (Robert); Sandy Fluegge (Alan) and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Some of Tom’s fondest times spent with family were the annual Christmas gatherings at Susie and Frank’s National House Inn in Marshall Michigan. On Christmas Day everyone who could make the trip that year would gather for food and fellowship with the highlight being the gift exchange in the evening. The letter of the year would generate many creative gifts (must start with that year’s letter) and poem describing the gift (several family members are very creative writers!), with everyone laughing and guessing what the present could be after reading the poem.

A Memorial Service celebrating Tom’s life will be held on October 7, 2025 at 11 AM at All Saints Lutheran Church, 6770 N High St, Worthington OH 43085. Visitation with the family will be at 10 AM that same day with a reception immediately following the service at All Saints.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to All Saints Lutheran Church or Habitat for Humanity. The family would like to thank the staff at Danbury Senior Living and Corso Care Hospice for their care and compassion.