Thomas Gene ARRAS

ARRAS, KASTLER, GRANDGEORGE, STEVENSON, PEROTKA, MANTO, MEYER, SWEENEY, GARTH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/17/2010 at 12:32:56

January 3, 1938 - December 23, 2009

Tommy Gene Arras, 71, passed away in his sleep Wednesday December 23, 2009 in the afternoon at his home {Webster City, Iowa] after a brief illness. Tom was an only child born January 3, 1938 in Alton, Macoupin County, Illinois to Thomas Lynn Arras and Doris Stevenson Arras. He was raised and educated in the Macoupin Co. area. He graduated from Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, Ill. in 1955. Tom was a student of McKendree College when he married Joyce Perotka, also a student, of Caseyville, Ill. in 1957. He graduated in 1959. They have 3 children, Jerry, Mrs. Marlin Manto of Katy, Texas, Joy, Mrs. Jay Meyer of Cheyenne, Wy, and John Arras of Cheyenne, Wy. Tom was in the ministry a few years and worked with his father in a chain of grocery stores in the Macoupin area until the family moved to Webster City, Ia. in 1968. A couple of years later his parents moved to Webster City. He worked as a finish carpenter and then became a self employed contractor. In 1987 Tom married Ann Julius Sweeney giving him 3 step-children, Robert, Lori, and Becky Sweeney. The couple was together for a few years. Tom was an active member of the Asbury Methodist Church and choir. Tom acquired the local hardware store in 1995 which became Tom’s Ace Hardware. In 1999 Tom married Susan Garth Kastler of Webster City, Ia., who gave him 3 step-children, Ed Kastler of Detroit, Mich., Troy Kastler of Woolstock, Ia., and April, Mrs. Kurt Grandgeorge, of West Richland, Wash. In 2002 Tom and Sue retired from the hardware store. Tom returned to the work force in 2004, working in the automotive department at the WalMart in Fort Dodge until his illness. Tom is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Susan, 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 4 step-grandchildren. There will be private graveside services in the spring.

Foster Funeral Home, Webster City, Iowa