Kiernan, Dr. Thomas E. 1929-2015

KIERNAN, LEEDOM, VANDENBERGE

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting (email)
Date: 9/26/2015 at 15:07:11

Obituary for Thomas E. Kiernan

Dr. Thomas Kiernan, age 85, formerly of Alton, Sioux Center, and Newton, passed away on June 19, 2015, in Barrington, Illinois, after a brief illness.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, September 26, at 10:30am, at the Alton Presbyterian Church in Alton. The Rev. Harlan De Jong will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Nassau Township Cemetery, near Alton. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Thomas Earl was the son of Earl St. Clair and Gertrude Elizabeth (Leedom) Kiernan. He was raised in Alton, the youngest of three children. His siblings were Patricia and R. Max.

He graduated from the Alton High School in 1947 and attended Westmar College in LeMars, eventually enlisting and serving in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1954.

Thomas married Darlene Vanden Berge on June 9, 1951, just prior to his service in the armed forces. She taught elementary school in the interim and upon his discharge, the couple returned to Iowa City to complete his higher education, culminating in his Medical Doctor degree from the University of Iowa in 1960.

His medical practice began in Sioux Center, where he served in private practice from 1960 to 1967. In 1967, he returned to the University of Iowa to complete a residency in Radiology, eventually practicing in Newton, with satellite services in Knoxville and Pella, until his retirement in 1990.

Thomas was an active member of the community in Newton, as a member of the Rotary Club and the Country Club. He also served on the boards of directors of the Newton National Bank and the Skiff Memorial Hospital.

He had a love of vintage automobiles and frequently drove his antique cars in the annual community parades, chauffeuring cheerleaders and homecoming court members. He also had a love of aviation and after obtaining his private pilots’ licenses flew out-back fishing trips with his son and cheerleading camps drop-offs with his daughter.

Thomas loved everything water related and took endless turns piloting the water ski boat, as well as scuba diving in the Cayman Islands.

He retired in 1990, and he and Darlene then resided in Savannah, Georgia, and the Cayman Islands. They enjoyed many trips abroad during their more than 55 years together and were able to see the Great Wall of China, Red Square in Moscow, the Pyramids of Giza, and the beautiful continent of Africa, with all the animals and a sunrise balloon ride over the Serengeti.

Darlene passed away on August 2, 2006. Thomas eventually relocated to Barrington, to be close to his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his daughter, and her husband, Jim and Jane Kray, of Wheaton, Illinois; his son and his wife, James and Rita Kiernan, of McHenry, Illinois; five grandchildren, Thomas and Jennifer Kray; and Mallory, Bridget, and Delaney Kiernan; two sisters-in-law Sylva Kiernan, of Alton, and June Vanden Berge, of Orange City, a brother-in-law and his wife, James and Judy Vanden Berge, of Traverse City, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by a sister and her husband, Patricia and Dr. Carl Oelrich; a brother, R. Max Kiernan; two sisters-in-law and their husbands, Ruth and Frank De Vries and Jean and Richard Hawkins; and two brothers-in-law, Peter Vanden Berge and Lloyd Vanden Berge in World War II.

Memorials may be directed to the Alton Presbyterian Church, 311 Twelfth Street, Alton, Iowa 51003, and The Salvation Army, Post Office Box 269, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.