Saffeels, Thomas Henry 1928-2012

SAFFEELS, EPPS, KITTLE, BREWER, WILSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 11/1/2015 at 08:48:09

Services for Tom Saffeels, 84, of Chariton will be held Thursday, January 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton with family receiving friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. prior to the service. Memorials are requested to the Chariton Community of Christ Church.

Thomas Henry Saffeels was born February 21, 1928 near Ava, Missouri to Turner and Flossie (Epps) Saffeels. He was raised in the Ava area and went to work on a dairy farm when he was 14 near Runnells, Iowa. He joined the United States Navy and also served in the Army during WWII.

Tom married Earla Kittle on July 21, 1951 in Runnells; they were blessed with four children: David, Sally, Dale, and Dean. Tom was a jack of all trades and master of many. He had a saying that he instilled in his children, "Can't, never done nothin'." He had a speed shop and was a mechanic, welded for Green Colonial in Des Moines, and worked for the railroad before working for Firestone for 31 years. He was a member of the Local 310 Union. Tom also owned a roofing company during the late 60's and 70's. He invented and improved many things; guns, engines, and was even trying to find a way to warm his oxygen the last few months. He was an avid motorcyclist; riding through all kinds of weather through the lower 48 states and Canada. Tom and his brother, Howard would ride often and even went to Canada for coffee. He was also a gun enthusiast and belonged to the NRA. He enjoyed hunting and the outdoors as well. Tom was active in the Boy Scouts while raising his children. After retirement Tom and Earla moved to Lake Rathbun where he worked as hard as ever doing what needed to be done for friends and neighbors. He also maintained the roads and worked for the Rathbun Regional Water. It was a time he really enjoyed.

Tom was ordained as a Community of Christ (RLDS) priest in the early 90's. He and Earla devoted much of their time and talents to the church. He also volunteered his time and effort to older Iowans. He was proud of his radio show, "Coffee with Tom Saffeels" that was broadcast from northern Missouri. He won the national volunteer Award and was able to accept the award in Washington D.C. and also was recognized as an outstanding volunteer by the Older Iowans Legislature. Tom loved to visit; he lost his voice a few months ago for 3 months before a procedure that restored his voice for the last six weeks. He reflected upon that time as a great gift and said that it had been a quiet summer in Chariton. After he could speak again he had much to say and was blessed with the opportunity to speak at church a couple of times the last few weeks.

Tom passed away December 30th, 2012 at the Legacy Lodge in Chariton surrounded by family at the age of 84 years. Preceding him in death was his wife, Earla who passed away in January of 2008. He is survived by his children: David Saffeels, Sally (Mike Brewer) Saffeels, Dale (Julie) Saffeels, and Dean Saffeels; along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren; a brother, Howard C. Wilson; and many relatives and friends. ~ The Pierschbacher Funeral Home, Chariton, Iowa 30 Dec 2012.