Blake, Thomas William

Thomas William Blake, 84, of Marion, died Sunday, May 13, 2012, at Willow Gardens Care Center. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Teahen Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors by VFW Post 788. Friends may visit Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday after 9 a.m. at the funeral home.

Tom is survived by his wife, Wanda; two daughters, Kim (Steve) Pollock of Shellsburg and Karla (Gerald) Kubik of Cedar Rapids; a stepdaughter, Pamela Hupe of Los Angeles, Calif.; a stepson, Bruce (Delores) Straub of Marion; eight grandchildren, Jecynda and Zackary Kubik, Rachel Blake, Jennifer, Jared and Jodi Hupe, and Sheely O'Dell and Jessica Straub; one great-granddaughter, Sophia O'Dell; his sister, Myrtle Stoneking of Carlinville, Ill.; a stepbrother, Wayne LeHew of Cedar Rapids; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna; a son, Marc, two sisters, Betty Harbert and Waneta Weis; a stepbrother, Kenneth LeHew; and a stepsister, Lorna Wood

Tom was born June 27, 1927, in Lisbon, the son of William and Ruby (Stoneking) Blake. He served in the Army during World War II. His first wife, Donna, preceded him in death in 1974. He married Wanda Lee Rich on Oct. 23, 1976, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua. Tom retired in 1982 as a truck driver for Iowa Parcel Services, where he had been employed for 25 years.

Tom was a member of the Teamsters union, American Legion and the Pinnacle Card Club.

Tom was a great horseshoe pitcher, and enjoyed bowling, playing golf and spending time playing card games with his grandchildren. He and his wife Wanda traveled to over 35 National Bowling Association conventions across the country.

Tom loved his wife, his two daughters, and all of his grandchildren dearly and will be greatly missed by all.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Published May 16, 2012 in The Gazette