Wendall A. Thomas' Obituary
Wendell A. Thomas, age 80, of Promise City, Iowa and a former Centerville, Iowa resident, died Saturday, January 8, 2005, at his home in Promise City, Iowa. He was born the son of Newton A. and Hannah M. (Cunningham) Thomas on August 25, 1924 near Centerville, Iowa. He received his education in a Rural Appanoose County Country School.On February 19, 1947, he was united in marriage to Mildred VanDeVenter in Laramie, Wyoming. After Mildred's passing, Wendell was united in marriage on August 28, 1996, to Dorothy Callen in Centerville, Iowa. Wendell served his country from March 1, 1943 until his honorable discharge on January 22, 1946 during WWII with the US Army in 710th Tank Battalion in the Western Pacific. Wendell was a well known heavy equipment contractor. He owned Wendell Thomas Construction Company for many years. He also was an Auctioneer and has held many auctions in and around Appanoose County.Wendell was preceded in death by: his parents; 1St wife, Mildred Thomas on May 24, 1994; brothers, Vernon, Gene, Lynn Thomas and Bob Burkhiser; sisters, Irene Sales, Sandy Thomas, Dorothy Chellas and Elaine Crowe.He is survived by: his wife, Dorothy Thomas of Promise City, Iowa; his Step-children, Betty Thomas and her husband LaVerne of Centerville, Iowa, Dixie Strickler of Owatonna, Minnesota, Debbie Brewer and her husband, Tim of Centerville, Iowa, Dana Selix and her husband, Roger of Unionville, Iowa and Russ Strickler of Centerville, Iowa; his brothers, LaVerne and Larry Thomas both of Centerville, Iowa; sisters, Maxine Fenton of Centerville, Iowa, Patricia Wager and Shirley Swan of Promise City, Iowa; 7 Step-grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 10 AM at the Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church in Centerville, Iowa with Pastor Mike Willis officiating. Burial with full military honors given by the Centerville Area Veterans Organizations at the Oakland Cemetery in Centerville, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 10, 2005 from 4 pm until 8 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa, with the family present from 6 pm until 8 pm at the funeral home.Memorials can be made to the Peoples Baptist Church and can be left at or mailed to the To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wendall A. Thomas please visit our Sympathy Store.
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