Thomas William Postl, age 66, of Shawano, passed away peacefully at home on July 3, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer. He was wrapped in the love of his family and closest friends. Tom was born on April 27, 1960, in Sasebo, Japan, to Richard “Dick” and Seiko (Tomiyoshi) Postl.

Tom graduated from Shawano High School in 1979 where he played football and wrestled. On December 3, 1983, he married the love of his life, Jennifer (Moesch) Postl in Shawano, WI. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised two amazing children, Lindsey and Lukas, who he liked to joke were the “fruit of his loins” and his absolute pride and joy.

Tom loved hunting, fishing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and going for side-by-side rides with Jennifer. But his greatest passion, and the place where his soul truly thrived, was in the world of racing. Known as the "tire guy" for over 50 years, Tom started out on the crew of the #5 for MJ McBride. When MJ retired, Tom continued his place at the track, helping out on the pit crew for Brett Swedberg & Team 3.

Tom poured his passion for racing into his son Lukas, helping him launch his own racing career. Together, they traveled Wisconsin racing Kitty Kat snowmobiles, go-karts, and eventually Dirt Late Models. Watching Lukas carry on the legacy of the #5 car was one of Tom's greatest joys, and he was in his element, as Lukas's trusted tire guy. For decades, his weekdays were spent cutting tires in the shop, and his weekends were spent traveling to dirt tracks across the state, making friends everywhere he went.

When he wasn’t at the track, Tom was a master "Mr. Fix-It" who simply loved to tinker and putz around. Always on the move, he could be found fixing something in the garage. He owned every tool, gadget, and spare part imaginable—and while it looked like chaos to some, it was expertly organized. He knew exactly where every single piece was hidden. (To that end: if anyone happens to be looking for the legs to the raised garden beds, they are safely hidden in a Miller Lite box in the shed).

Tom enjoyed cooking and loved nothing more than feeding the people he cared about. He was a master on the grill, cooked up meals to keep the crew fueled during long race nights at the track, and spent the holidays deep-frying turkeys or hosting a great fish fry.

Beneath a playfully grumbly exterior, Tom had a heart of gold. He would lend a helping hand to family, friends, neighbors, and fellow racers alike. He loved nothing more than watching the Packers, Brewers, NASCAR, and Late Model Dirt track racing, always with a cold MGD 64 in hand.

Tom is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jennifer Postl; his beloved mother, Seiko Postl; his devoted children, Lindsey (Ryan) Dieck, and Lukas (Tara) Postl & grand-pup Binx; and his sisters, Sandy (Kevin) Bistoff and Sue (Brian) Demarb.

He is further survived by his in-laws, Kathleen DeWitt, Thomas (Mary) Moesch, and Ann (Todd) Breaker; as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly: Shelby (Brian Krueger), Kobe & Adley Bistoff; Kory and Karter Bistoff; Shane DeMarb; Trish Gallion; Ryan (Natalie), Lexi & Alyssa DeWitt; Mariah (Cody), Jada & Alaina Calmes; Conner Beaster; Evan Beaster; Erik Moesch; Adam Moesch; Amy Moesch; and Trish (Jerome) Rodgers.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard “Dick” Postl; his aunts and uncles, Helen & Doug Schroeder and Jim & Emily Postl; an infant sister, Marie; his father-in-law, Robert “Spud” Moesch; his mother-in-law, Phyllis Pages; his brother-in-law, Lloyd DeWitt; and his best buddy, Teddy.

While our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing that Tom is somewhere up there tinkering in the garage, enjoying a cold one with his shop dog Teddy, watching a damn good race on the TV.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes you support your local racetrack and enjoy a beverage in Tom’s honor.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11:00 am until the time of service. For the visitation, to celebrate Tom, the family asks you to wear your favorite racing gear.

The family would like to extend a deeply heartfelt thank you to ThedaCare Hospice for the wonderful, compassionate care given to Tom during his final days.