Fell, Tommy Newell (1921 - 2010)

FELL, SEWELL, MCDERMOTT, KIESEL, DYSON

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/15/2013 at 15:30:03

Tommy Newell Fell - Age - 89

Tommy Newell Fell, son of Thomas and Bernice (Sewell) Fell, was born on March 21, 1921 at Emmetsburg, Iowa. He attended grade school in Emmetsburg and after his family moved to Walnut, Iowa, Tommy completed his education at Walnut High School and graduated with the class of 1941.

After high school, Tommy enlisted into the United States Marines in Texas and then was transferred to the Merchant Marines in California where he served his country during World War II. On October 17, 1944, while on leave in Kansas City, Missouri, Tommy was united in marriage to Velma McDermott of Walnut, Iowa. To this union, four children were born: Jane, Jeff, Bill and Brett. After their marriage, Tommy continued his service for the Merchant Marines where after his discharge, he returned to Walnut and worked for the Northern Natural Gas Company. He went on to start a trucking and corn shelling business helping local farmers transporting livestock. He later expanded his trucking service to making longer trips to the east coast. He worked in Walnut for a Chevy car dealer as mechanic and when he discontinued trucking for a few years, he began driving school bus. At that time he also drove his portable grinder, used for grinding livestock feed for farmers. Tommy then drove three different cream and egg routes where he made trips throughout Shelby, Audubon and eastern Pottawattamie counties.

Tommy returned to trucking this time hauling hanging/swinging hogs to California and returning to the Midwest with fresh produce. He drove for Ernie Hogeland for a few years then purchased Ernie’s freight company and operated it out of Walnut until his retirement in 1983. In the early 80's, Tommy and Velma began spending winters in Texas where they met numerous couples and remained longtime close friends. Tommy and Velma loved dancing and won several awards while dancing the waltz.

In 2003, Tommy became a resident of the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn until July of 2004 where he then moved to the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home in Earling, Iowa. It was here that he died on October 16, 2010 having attained the age of eighty-nine years, six months and twenty-five days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded and in death by his granddaughter, Shari Fell, his brothers and sister: Clarence, Avery, George, Wilbur, Phil, Harold and Bevery Kiesel and his son-in-law Dale Dyson.

He is survived by his wife, Velma Fell of Walnut; his children: Jane Dyson of Carson; Jeff Fell and his wife Peggy of Walnut, Iowa; Bill Fell and his wife Laurie of Avoca, Iowa and Brett Fell of Simla, Colorado; ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Pastor David Krueger officiated the 2:00 P.M. Funeral Service at First Presbyterian Church in Walnut on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. Masonic Services and Military Rites by the Walnut American Legion Post No. 422 were held in Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut. Serving as casket bearers were: Jim Dyson, Jessica Oswalt, Drew Fell, Nate Fell, Angela Beebe, and Gabe Fell.

Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
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