Thomas L. Farnsworth

Thomas L. Farnsworth, 87, of Keokuk, died of kidney failure August 5, 2015, at River Hills Village in Keokuk. Thomas was born on October 3, 1927, in Keokuk, the son of A.L. and Fern L Merideth Farnsworth. On July 13, 1947, he was united in marriage to Dolores J. Gibson in Keokuk. She preceded him in death. Tom was a life-long resident of Keokuk and a member of All Saints Catholic Church. He served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre from 1945 to 1946. Tom graduated from Carthage College in 1949 and taught grade school in Donnellson from 1949 to 1951, before going to work at the Union Electric power house for four and a half years. He them became an agent for Prudential Life Insurance from 1955 to 1985, finishing his working career as a substitute teacher at Keokuk High School. Among other things, Tom belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post #41, and has been active in the Retarded Children Association. The Insurance Workers Union, and the Lee County Democratic Party. He had great affection for the Winkler family and his circle of friends, commonly known as the Potlickers. Tom is survived by his son Bruce A. Farnsworth of Fort ...[more]

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ison; three grandsons: Mark, Tommy and Andrew (Sarah) Farnsworth; two great-grandchildren: George and Claire Farnsworth; and his beloved daughter-in-law Cathy Roberts of Montrose. Tom is also survived by his close friends and neighbors. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dolores, two sons: Ronald on June 15, 2013, and Tom on October 10, 2006, his brother Joseph, and two sisters: June Miller and Elaine Thompson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Monday, August 10, 2015, at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk, with Reverend Robert Lathrop officiating. Burial will follow at Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 9, from 2 to 4 PM at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center at 1212 Concert Street in Keokuk. A Christian Vigil service will directly follow the visitation. Memorials may be directed to All Saints Catholic Church or Lee County Hospice.