NEILL, Thomas J. (1938-2020)

NEILL, KESSINGER, STUEDEMANN, WOODS, HUDSON

Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

Thomas J. Neill, 82, of Clinton, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 after a courageous, four-month battle with cancer. Honoring his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a private family graveside service will be held Saturday, July 18th at St. Irenaeus Cemetery with military rites by the Amvets. A Memorial Mass will take place at Prince of Peace Church at a later date. Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
Tom was born on February 19, 1938, in Walthill, Neb., the sixth child of George and Laura (Kessinger) Neill. He graduated from Walthill High School in 1956 and joined the Army, serving his country in post-war Korea from 1956-1958. After his time in the military, Tom came to Clinton and took a job working for the Postal Service, where he was employed for 32 years. He retired in 1992. Soon after arriving in Clinton, Tom met and fell in love with the woman who would be his wife of 57 years, Barbara Stuedemann. They married on September 16, 1962 at Sacred Heart Church in Clinton.
Tom was an active member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and served on the St. Irenaeus Cemetery Board for many years. To know him was to be his friend-he never met a stranger and was known for his awesome hugs. He enjoyed playing cards with his post office friends for nearly 50 years. In recent years, he looked forward to his daily coffee hour with his coffee buddies at HyVee and Sweetheart Bakery. Tom and Barb enjoyed traveling the United States extensively and celebrated their 50th anniversary with a trip to Ireland. They also loved to attend plays and concerts. Most of all, Tom enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was so proud of them all.
Survivors include Barbara and three children, daughter Dr. Theresa (Brent) Woods of West Lafayette, IN, son Todd Neill of Peoria, IL, and daughter Tina (Tony) Neill-Hudson of Iowa City. Tom and Barbara have six loving grandchildren who adored their Papa-Jason Woods of Bloomington, IN, Dr. Justin Woods of Chapel Hill, NC, Bryan Neill of Dekalb, IL, Ethan Hudson, Kylie Hudson and Sydney Hudson of Iowa City, and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers and one sister. Memorials can be made in Tom's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105.
Published on July 17, 2020