Thomas J. Stallsmith 1929-2008

KEFFELER, STALLSMITH, GUTHNECK, HEAVENER, GARTNER, LINK

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 4/8/2008 at 19:38:25

Thomas J. Stallsmith

Thomas J. Stallsmith, 78, of Tulsa, Okla., formerly of 2041 Avalon Road, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, at Veterans Administration Hospital, Claremore, Okla.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by American Legion Dubuque Post 6. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at Siegert Casper Colonial Funeral Home, 390 Grandview Ave., where there will be a wake service at 6 p.m.

He was born on Aug. 29, 1929, in Dubuque, son of Floyd L. and Helena (Keffeler) Stallsmith. He was a graduate of the former Loras Academy and attended Loras College.

He married Lois Guthneck on June 21, 1958, at St. Raphael's Cathedral; she preceded him in death on Jan. 15, 1994. He then married Fern Heavener on June 13, 1996, at Box Elder, Mont.

Tom was a veteran of the Korean War serving with the 8th Air Force from 1951 to 1955.

He retired as supervisor with Bell Telephone Company in 1985.

Tom was a member of St. Anthony's Parish and served as an usher for many years. He was past president of the Telephone Pioneers Council and served as chairperson of the Legislative Communications Workers of America. Tom was a former member of Dubuque Post 6 American Legion and 50-year member and past Grand Knight of Dubuque Council 510 Knights of Columbus.

Surviving are his wife, Fern, of Tulsa; two daughters, Karen Gartner, of Anderson, Ind., and Kristine (Tim) Link, of Dubuque; two sons, Stanley T. (Kelley) Stallsmith, of Mason City, Iowa, and Steve O. (Laura) Stallsmith, of Charles City, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Jeffrey and Phillip Gartner, Brandon, Riley and Jena Stallsmith, Evan and Denver Link and Torey, Haley and Conner Stallsmith; 11 step-children, Diane Heavener, Adrian (Tom) Jones, John Heavener, Patti (Jon) Neff, Ralph (Nel) Heavener, Matt (Glynn) Heavener, Donna (Dennis) Chisum, Tina (Harley) Cooper, Michelle (Dennis) Mackin, Michael (Sharee) Heavener and Kevin Heavener; 44 step-grandchildren; and 24 step-great grandchildren.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Travis Link; his son-in-law, Jeff Gartner; his brother, Robert Stallsmith; his step-daughter, Stephanie Read; and his step-grandchildren, Hannah and Nicholas Heavener.

Copyright (c) Woodward Communications, Inc. Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Thursday, February 21, 2008