Tom Whitsell

FORWARD, RENSINK, BLANKERS, VAN REGENMORTER

Posted By: Roger Miller (email)
Date: 12/7/2016 at 17:00:36

WILLIAM T. “TOM” WHITSELL 
 
     William “Tom” Whitsell was the son of William F. and Elizabeth (Forward) Whitsell and was born in Sheldon, Iowa, on January 24, 1938. He was raised in Sheldon and Sanborn, Iowa, and graduated from Sanborn High School in 1956. Shortly after his high school graduation, Tom served in the United States Air Force from 1957 to 1961. He was trained as an airplane maintenance technician and finished his service at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington. Tom was proud to serve his country. On March 17, 1961, Tom was united in marriage to Iola Rensink at First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa, where they made their home. They were happily married for 53 years. Tom was employed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. He worked until 1981 when a work accident required his retirement. Tom also worked part-time as a projectionist at Sheldon’s Iowa Theater in the evenings for 32 years. During this time, he showed over 1000 movies. Tom passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon, Iowa, reaching the age of 77 years and 14 days.
     Tom loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and supporting their many activities. Tom was also an avid Minnesota Twins fan and enjoyed watching the Twins on TV or in person. Tom enjoyed volunteering with Stamps for Literature which purchased Bibles for distribution in foreign countries. Tom also volunteered for the Sheldon Chamber and Development Corporation filling the Easter eggs for the annual children’s Easter egg hunt. Tom was also a long standing member of First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa.
     Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Iola; four children: Lisa (Joel) Blankers of Sioux Falls, SD; Barry (Maggie) Whitsell of Sheldon, IA; Brad (Sara) Whitsell of Sioux Falls, SD; and Linda (Brad) Van Regenmorter of Maurice, IA; eight grandchildren: Vance (Ellen) Blankers; Megan, Jordan, and Tanner Whitsell; Nathan and Kelly Whitsell; Mitchel and Alayna Van Regenmorter.
     Tom was preceded in death by his parents William F. and Elizabeth, father-in-law Bernard Rensink, brother-in-law Ken Rensink, and daughter-in-law Joan Whitsell.