William T. 'Tom' Whitsell

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
WILLIAM T. TOM WHITSELL

BORN
January 24, 1938
Sheldon, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
February 7, 2015
Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICES
10:30 A.M. Tuesday, February 10, 2015
First Reformed Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Paul Van Maaren ~ Officiating
Brad Whitsell ~ Eulogist

Visitation will be after 3 P.M. on Monday, February 9, 2015 with the family present from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

MUSIC
Amazing Grace
Sung by: Brian and Dyan Lenderink
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
How Great Thou Art
Organist: Ingetta Tutje

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Granddaughters
Ellen Blankers Megan Whitsell
Kelly Whitsell Alayna Van Regenmorter
CASKETBEARERS
Joel Blankers Barry Whitsell Brad Whitsell
Brad Van Regenmorter Vance Blankers
Jordan Whitsell Tanner Whitsell Nathan Whitsell
Mitchel Van Regenmorter

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa
Military Flag Presentation by the Sheldon American Legion
McGlothlen-Cowie Post #145 of Sheldon, IA


Arrangements under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon, Iowa

After the graveside service relatives and friends are invited to join
the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

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 Sheldons 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 childrens 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.