Thomas Joseph SILVER

SILVER, BANGASSER, RUPPERT, JOHNSEN, MCCLELLAN, HANSEN, JEKE, JONES, AVERILL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/12/2007 at 22:46:11

Tom J. Silver, 83

Services for Tom J. Silver were held Wednesday, July 23, 2003 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy, MN. Officiating the services were Father Brian Mandel and Father Paul Evers. Cantor was Carol Cooreman and pianist was Shannon Benson. Casketbearers were Tim Cummiskey, Gary Ruppert, Dennis Hanson, Kevin Carlson, Chuck Peltola and Scott Ruppert. Burial was held at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Tracy, MN. Arrangements handled by Almlie Funeral Home, Tracy, MN

Thomas Joseph Silver was born August 12, 1919 to Thomas and Catherine (Bangasser) Silver in Eagle Grove, IA. He was Baptized and Confirmed in the Catholic faith. He moved with his family to Garvin, MN when he was one year old and attended Garvin Public Schools. In 1934 his family moved into Tracy, MN and Tom attended Tracy High School where he graduated in 1938. After high school Tom held various jobs in Tracy before entering the U. S. Army Air Force in April of 1942. He was assigned to the 3715t Bomber Squadron as a Technician and Mechanic and served in the Pacific Theatre. He received a Distinguished Unit Badge and two Commendations for devotion to duty in 1944 and 45. Tom returned to Tracy in 1945 after his discharge from service.

On October 9, 1948 Tom married Leota Ruppert at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie, MN. They made their home in Tracy and Tom worked for Speath Chevrolet and later Salmon Chevrolet in Tracy. In 1955 Tom began his career of 24 years with the U. S. Postal Service, where he became known as "the Whistling Mailman" by all in Tracy. Tom retired in 1979 but never quit his walking and whistling on the streets of Tracy. Tom and his wife enjoyed many years of ballroom dancing and he also enjoyed fishing, gardening, woodworking and visiting his grandchildren. On Sunday, July 20, 2003 Tom died at the Tracy Area Medical Hospital at the age of 83.

Tom is survived by his wife, Leota; three sons, Thomas of Glenwood, MN, John and his wife, Rene of Sauk Centre, MN and Randy and his wife, Sande of Glenwood, MN; three daughters, Cathy Johnsen of Pequot Lakes, MN, Mary Jo and husband Ric McClellan of Fargo, ND and LuAnn Silver of Fulda, MN; two granddaughters; five grandsons; one sister, Theresa (Ed) Hansen of Tracy, MN; many nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents, infant son, Michael, grandson, Dustin, six sisters, Alice JeKe, Lenore Gempler, Kate Craig, Elizabeth Pelkey, Mary Jones and Dorothy Averill and two brothers, Bernard and Bob preceded him in death.
Blessed be his memory.

Headlight Herald, Tracy, MN
July 23, 2003