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Tom Wall
TOM E. WALL
West Branch
Tom E. Wall, 55, a tall man who cast a long shadow on the community, entered his eternal home Thursday, May 26, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church, West Branch, with a visitation at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Co-celebrants will be Father Greg Steckel and Father Dennis Martin. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at West Branch High School, where a vigil service will be held at 8 p.m. Family committal services will be held at St. Bridget's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the Iowa 4-H Foundation, the Johnson County 4-H Endowment Fund, Friends of St. Bridget's or the West Branch or Solon Fire departments. Memorials may be sent to the family in care of P.O. Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244.
Tom was born July 25, 1960, in Iowa City, the son of John and Mary Ellen Martin Wall. He was a 1978 graduate of West Branch High School and received his bachelor's degree in farm operations from Iowa State University. Tom married Anita Renee Cave on June 27, 1987, at St. Bridget's Church.
Tom was a big man with an even bigger heart. He offered his time and his talents by giving back to the community he loved. He was a loving husband, an awesome father, a caring son, brother and a friend who always gave a hand when needed.
In the last three years, Tom was recognized as an Iowa Master Farmer, an Iowa Master Pork Producer and received the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. He was a board member of the Mississippi Valley Farm Business, Iowa Farm Business and the Johnson County Fair Associations. He flipped many a pork burger at local events as part of the Johnson County Pork Producers and was also a member of both the Iowa Corn Growers and district advisory committee of the Iowa Soybean Association. In addition to farming the Wall's Century Farm, he was a DEKALB seed salesman for the past 28 years.
A Graham Champions 4-H leader for the past 34 years, Tom helped many youth gain leadership and life skills. He taught catechism at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church in West Branch.
Tom would have encouraged all to consider organ donation as he will help at least 75 people, according to the Iowa Donor Network.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Anita; and their three children, Rachel Wall of North Liberty, Greg Wall (Kate Sims) of Iowa City and Sarah Wall (Brandon Reinberg) of Gladbrook; his parents, John and Mary Ellen; his sister, Mary (Steve) Howard of Gainesville, Fla.; his in-laws, Pauline and Darvin Cave of South English; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Steve (Lori) Cave, Mike (Mary Beth) Cave, Jeff Cave, Kevin (LuAnn) Cave, Murray Cave (Kathy McDonald), Kristi (Rex) Sheetz, Shelly (Bill) Flynn and Melinda (Dan) Watson; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family; and his beloved border collie, Bella.
Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Ann.
Arrangements and online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com.
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