Thomas W. Smith, 79, of Burlington, formerly of Fairfield, IA, died at 9:07 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2019 at his home.
Born May 5, 1940 in Terre Haute, IN, he was the son of Ernest and Margaret (Fry) Smith. He married Sylvia McClure on February 13, 1960 in Washington, IA.
Tom and Sylvia resided in Fairfield, IA from 1968-2008, and Burlington, IA from 2008- present. Tom worked for Prudential Insurance as an agent for 31 years until his retirement in 1998. Following his retirement, Tom was a part-time bus driver for senior citizens, disabled students, Burlington Care Center, and the Burlington YMCA. Tom never met a stranger. Highlights of his day were hugs from the YMCA program children and his relationships with the residents and staff of Burlington Care Center.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Sylvia of Burlington; two daughters, Marcia (David) Carlson and Paula Hull both of Burlington; son, Thomas Smith II of Franklin, IN; five grandchildren, Jay Carlson of Minneapolis, MN, Amy Carlson of Baltimore, MD, Ashley Hull of Chicago, IL, Stephanie Hull of Burlington, IA, and Samuel (Amy) Smith of Dixon, MO, three great-grandchildren, and one sister, Suse Ann (Bryan) Fitzgerald of Dayton, OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Kenneth.
At Tom’s request, no funeral or visitation is planned. Cards may be sent to the family at Lunning Chapel, 2620 Mt. Pleasant Street, Burlington, IA 52601. Memorials may be directed to the Burlington YMCA After School Program or Great River Hospice.
According to his wishes, Tom’s body has been donated to the University of Iowa for Medical Education.
Sherry K. Knutson, 75, of Burlington, passed away at 6:45 PM Thursday, October 10, 2019, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born July 12, 1944, in Mobile, AL, she was the daughter of Wendell Faye and Betty Jean Sea Bright. On May 12, 1972, she married Theodore Knutson, Jr. in her parents’ home in Disco, IL. She and Theodore were married for 16 years before they divorced.
Sherry worked at Raid Quarries for three years, Wayne Carpenter, an accounting firm, Champion Spark Plug for 42 years and Kohl’s for two years.
She graduated from LaHarpe High School in 1962 then attended Burlington Business School where she graduated in 1963.
Sherry was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. She was an avid reader, enjoyed collecting antiques, going to flea markets and antique shows and watching The Food Network, Law and Order, the old Perry Mason shows and dog shows. Sherry and her brother worked on genealogy that has helped them contribute a lot of information to their family books and they would spend all day at the library researching old newspapers. Cecil Alton wrote a book about the Alton family using the information that Sherry collected and turned over.
Survivors include her daughter, Katrina “Katie” Fay Knutson and granddaughter, Amira both of Burlington and one brother, Charles (Sally) Bright of Burlington.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Patricia Anderson.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home. Light refreshments will be available during the visitation.
The memorial service for Sherry will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 19, 2019, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Tamara Wirt officiating.
Memorials have been established for Great River Hospice, Great River’s R.S.V.P. Program, Mobile Nursing, and Always Home.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Sherry’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Helen Jane Torrance, 87, of Gladstone, Illinois, passed away at 5:34 a.m. Friday October 11, 2019 at the Klein Center in West Burlington, Iowa. She was born August 18, 1932 in Colusa, Illinois, the daughter of Frank and Myrtle Briscoe Russell. On March 21, 1953, she married John Franklin “Frank” Torrance. He preceded her in death on August 6, 2006.
Mrs. Torrance lived in the Gladstone area since 1955. She was a homemaker, and assisted her husband in the operation of the family farm. Besides raising a family, she was the bookkeeper for the farm operations and the local drainage district. For many years, she designed and sewed clothing for the entire family. She raised vegetables in the family garden and enjoyed cooking, ceramics and weaving. She attended the Gladstone United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Jane Torrance of Normal, IL, three sons, Michael (Frances) Torrance of Chillicothe, MO, Russell (Connie Sue) Torrance of Gladstone, IL, Mark (Leanne) Torrance of Biggsville, IL, one daughter in law, Angie Torrance of Avon, IL, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, three sisters, Mildred Jones and Louise Link, both of LaHarpe, IL, Donna Bennett of Sperry, IA, and one brother, Robert Russell of LaHarpe, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, Ervin Torrance and two brothers, Albert Lea “Pee Wee” Russell and Delmar Russell.
Visitation for Mrs. Torrance will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday October 17, 2019 at the funeral home, with Rev. Howard Ross officiating. Burial will follow in the Raritan Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Gladstone United Methodist Church and Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth, IL. Please visit Helen’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guestbook and leave a condolence.
