Thomas A. Willke

Thomas A. Willke (Tom), age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 21, 2025. He was born on April 22, 1932, in Rome City, Indiana. His family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he attended Roger Bacon High School and graduated in 1950. At age 16 he met the love of his life, Geraldine Page, a student at Our Lady of Angels. In 1954, Tom earned a degree in Classical Languages at Xavier University in Cincinnati and graduated as Valedictorian. He married Gerry the same year and they started their family as he began his graduate studies in Mathematics at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He earned his M.A. in 1956 and Ph.D. in 1960 while working as a Graduate Assistant and Instructor in the Department of Mathematics at Ohio State.

In 1961, Tom and Gerry moved their three young children to College Park, MD where Tom became an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of Maryland. Concurrently, he also worked for the National Bureau of Standards as a Research Mathematician. In 1966, they moved back to Columbus, where the last of their six children was born. Tom began his long career at Ohio State as an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics.

Tom helped establish the Department of Statistics in 1970 and became a Full Professor in 1972. He was Vice Provost/Dean of Undergraduate Studies for the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences from 1973 to 1987 and took on the additional role of Acting Dean of University College from 1983 to 1985. In 1987 he retired from Ohio State as an Emeritus Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Statistics. Tom then joined the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Otterbein College and became the Chairman of the Department in 1988 until retiring in 1997.

Tom knew that the best part of his life was having Gerry by his side, and he saw his family as his greatest accomplishment. He counted his blessings as their 6 children and 18 grandchildren created a beautiful family of 66 and counting. He and Gerry encouraged a loving family bond by their example and with annual family vacations that built wonderful memories. He loved staying active by working on their house, which included building two additions and a back porch, and he tinkered endlessly. He loved traveling, and took his young family on many summer camping adventures to explore the incredible wonders of the U.S. Even well into their eighties, he and Gerry traveled to new places with their kids.

He lived his professional life with integrity and humility and used his many abilities in the service of others. Tom's education and service at Ohio State started a rich tradition, leading to 31 OSU degrees within the family along with at least 145 years in school or service positions at the University. Tom and Gerry’s family also holds a total of 15 degrees from 13 other Ohio colleges, as well as 15 degrees from 12 out-of-state colleges.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Gerry, his sister, Bonnie Morrissey (Mike), and his children: Dick Willke (Brenda), Sue Enouen (Bob), Don Willke (Brenda), Jeanne Willke (Dale), Mary Jeffries (Dave), and Kathy Riedinger (Eric). He is also survived by his 18 grandchildren: Pat Willke (Lindsey), Meg Smith (Vince), Carolyn Wyatt (Chris), Steven Willke, Erica McCabe (Rick), Claire Hale (Bryan), Bobby Enouen (Nadia), Phil Willke (Jenn), Renee Stanley (Mike), Keely Ditto, Mike Ditto, Andrew Jeffries, Dan Jeffries (Emmy), Paige Oman (Erik), Joe Jeffries, Jack Jeffries, Ella Riedinger, Olivia Riedinger, and 24 great-grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Gerard Thomas and Marie Wuennemann Willke, as well as four siblings: Mary Robisch (Ralph, Dick), Jack Willke (Barb), Ruth Folz (Dave), and Jean Willke.

Visitation will be at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43221, on Thursday, September 4, from 4-7pm, with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7pm. The Funeral Mass is on Friday, September 5, at 10:30am at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1899 McCoy Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43220. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 South High Street, Lockbourne, Ohio, 43137. All prayers are greatly appreciated