Thomas Edward Conley, 90, a longtime resident of Ottumwa, IA died at 1:50 p.m. August 31, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society - Ottumwa. He was well known for being a great story teller and his wonderful laugh and had just celebrated his 90th birthday and 65th wedding anniversary in June with family and friends. He was admitted to hospice care on 8/15/18.

He was born to Owen Conley and Margaret Hynd Conley on the 300 acre family farm in Tyrone, IA on June 8, 1928. He had 12 brothers and sisters. He married Shirley A. Huddleson June 13, 1953.

Tom graduated from Albia High School in 1946 and served in the U.S. Navy as a communications officer in the Pacific from 1946-1948. He attended Boyles College of Business in Omaha, NE from 1948-1949. He had a 28-year career with the CB&Q and Burlington Northern Railroad, holding positions in Osceola, IA and Monmouth, Streator, and Sterling, IL. He owned and operated Atomic Termite & Pest Control from 1977 until 2002 when he began his retirement. He served two years as the State President of Iowa Pest Control Association, and 5 years as Iowa Government regulations for the National Pest Control Association.

Tom was a devoted father and was very active in his community. Family was everything to him. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He had honorary lifetime membership with Knights of Columbus Council #888, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus General McMullen Assembly and held positions of Grand Knight at Monmouth and Streator, IL. He was also a member of O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion in Ottumwa, IA.

He is survived by his wife Shirley; two daughters, Cindy (Tim) Kunzendorf of Addison, IL and Vicky Perdue of Ottumwa; a daughter-in-law, Theresa Kratofil; grandchildren: Matthew Conley, Mark Conley, Mike Conley and Tom Kunzendorf; great grandchildren, Stephanie and Stephen, Matthew Jr., Marlie, and Landon; brothers, Owen, Patrick, Alec, and sister, Cathrine.

He was preceded in death by a son, Steve Conley; son-in-law, John Perdue, siblings, Jim, John, Willie, Robert, Margaret, Mary and Agnes.

His final message to us: "I wanted you to all know that I will be happy in Heaven and will rest in peace beside my son Stephen, awaiting any visitors that may come to visit us until we all meet again....Amen"

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Reece Funeral Home. The Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home followed by a Christian Wake Service. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will follow until 7 p.m.

Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Fr. Patrick Hilgendorf presiding. Military honors will be performed by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion. Cremation will follow the mass.

Honor Guard at the funeral home and at St. Patrick Catholic Church will be Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus General McMullen Assembly. Private Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Published on September 3, 2018 Ottumwa Courier