Thoma, Willard 'Bill' 1918-2003

THOMA, SANDERS, STRUCKMAN, SWARTZ, NEFZGER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/14/2004 at 03:39:14

Willard "Bill" Thoma, age 85, of Oelwein, died Thursday, November 13, 2003, at Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters in Oelwein after a lengthy illness. Funeral services were held Monday, November 17 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oelwein, with Rev. Frederick Fangmann officiating. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Oelwein. Complete military rites were conducted by the American Legion Ross Reid Post #9. Hintz-Geilenfeld Funeral Home, Oelwein, was in charge of arrangements. Bill was born September 16, 1918, in Postville, Iowa, the son of Louis and Louise (Sanders) Thoma. He graduated from Postville High School in 1936. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was discharged July 15, 1945. On May 4, 1947, he married Marian Struckman at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. Bill was a salesman and cemetery sexton before his retirement in 1980. He was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Survivors include two daughters, Trudy Swartz of Waterloo and Patty Nefzger of Fayette; three sons, Bill (Debbie) Thoma of Auburn, Maine, Mike (Jenny) Thoma of Oelwein, and Ed Thoma of Oelwein; eleven grandchildren, Brian (Kim) Swart and Darci (Duane Jr.) Allen, all of Waterloo, Iowa, Chris Thoma of Washington, D.C., Danny Thomas of Auburn, Mike and Brandi Thoma of Auburn, Cody Bushaw, Dave (Deb) Bushaw, Mindy (Danny) Conaway of Conesville, Iowa, Jason (Betsy) Nefzger of Postville, and Joshua Nefzger of Fayette; 22 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian, on June 1, 1995, and his parents. A memorial fund has been established in his name.

©Waukon Standard 2003
Waukon Standard 11/19/2003