Kyle Daniel Tomlinson
Kyle Daniel Tomlinson, 37 of Poynette, WI was born on May 6, 1984, at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, WI. He died on July 16, 2021 as a result of a tragic car accident. Kyle was a 2002 graduate of Poynette High School and a 2004 graduate of Universal Technical Institute (UTI) where he obtained a degree as an Auto Mechanic. He worked for various employers over the years as a mechanic and enjoyed working on his friends cars, hunting with his dad and listening to music. You could catch him outside playing his guitar and singing. He loved being with his children, his nieces and family. Kyle was one of the kindest people you could meet and would do anything for anyone. Many times you would see him limping around Poynette. He would bring in carts at Piggly Wiggly just to do it or grab someone’s cart for them. At the BP he would help clean just for something to do. He was a people pleaser, it gave him pleasure to help others. You never had to ask him twice if you needed something done. We loved him with all our hearts. We find comfort in knowing that his struggle is over and he is in God’s hands now!
Kyle started using drugs as a teenager so it became a lifelong battle of addiction. Then with a 15% survival rate, Kyle shunned death when he was diagnosed with fungal meningitis in the fall of 2009. It took 3 brain surgeries, 6 months of a daily 8 hour IV regiment and then 1 year of a potent liquid medication to combat the illness. He survived, but with hip damage which caused him chronic pain. Thus, increased alcohol and drug use to self medicate his pain. His alcohol and drug addiction became a daily struggle for him and led to depression. Kyle put on a happy face in public but inside felt alone and many times isolated himself for days. Addiction affects not only the addict but the entire family. There were very few resources in the county to help his struggle. More needs to be put toward rehabilitation and not just enforcement of this growing problem. Too many overdoses are occurring in the area and alcoholism is just as much a problem but accepted because it is a legal drug. If you know of someone with a drug or alcohol problem reach out if only to talk to them. You could make a difference in someone’s life.
Kyle is survived by his two children, Lily and Sage Tomlinson and their mother, Jaime Rude of Wisconsin Dells; his parents, Danny and Peggy (Sopha) Tomlinson of Poynette; his sister, Angela (Mike) Schulz and nieces, Annalise, Charlotte and Emmeline of Sussex; his sister, Raschel Tomlinson and Reese Reger of Pewaukee; his aunt, Cathy (Charlie) Manke of Arlington; his cousins, Bob Manke and Cayden and Kylie of Arlington; his cousins, Bret (Heather) Manke and Thane of Arlington; his aunt, Cindy (Mike) Ruetten of Rio; his cousins, Hannah (Jackie) Ruetten/ Morkrid of Madison; his grandmother, Marge (Foster) Sopha of Portage; his grandparents, Vic and Jackie (Elsing) Tomlinson of Poynette; his aunt, Tammy Tomlinson of Deforest; his cousins, Derek Benzine and Hadley of Deforest; his cousin, Tyler (Kelsey) Benzine of Madison; his foster uncle, Gordy (Dawn) Woodard of Poynette; and many other uncles, aunts, and cousins. Kyle was preceded in death by his aunt, Tammy Sopha and grandfather, Robert Sopha.
The family will greet friends and family from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on (Thurs) July 22, 2021, at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home, 426 E. Washington St, Poynette, WI.
A celebration of Kyle’s life will be (Fri.) July 23, 2021 at 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 655 S. Main Street, Poynette, WI with Reverend Kumud Nayak presiding. Interment will be in the Poynette Cemetery with his Aunt and Grandfather.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Kyle's two children.
