Thomas E. “Tom” Cellers, Sr., 94, Iola, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, in Iola following a brief illness.
Tom was born April 23, 1923, in Lebo, to Everett and Nola (Doherty) Cellers.
He married Ethel Castle on Nov. 14, 1942, in Burlington. They made their home in Burlington for several years before moving to Iola in 1954. Together they had three children.
He worked as a young man for the Civil Conservation Corps and the Soil Conservation Service. He worked at the ordnance plant in Lawrence, until being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served from July 1943 to December 1945 in the Pacific campaign during World War II. He then joined the Kansas Army National Guard where he retired after 35 years of service with the 891st Engineer Battalion.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, working on his Jeep, and taking care of his dogs. He could fix anything that broke, and was very active his entire life. He was a member of the Iola American Legion and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, and a hard working, generous man. He will be terribly missed by many loving family members and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Ethel, of the home; two children, Sharyl Zajic, Iola, and Tom Cellers Jr. and wife Diane, Hot Springs, Ark.; grandchildren, Nicole Hines and husband Shawn, Gas, Scott Cellers and wife Tonya, Hot Springs, Jackson Cellers and wife Shelby, Fayetteville, Ark., Gretchen Cellers, Hot Springs, and Stephanie Cellers, Little Rock, Ark.; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his son, Randy Cellers, his parents and his siblings, Virginia Robe, Glen Cellers, Ronald Cellers and Betty Carney.
A graveside service is at 10 a.m. today at Graceland Cemetery near Burlington. Contributions in his memory are suggested to be made through www.gotyour6.org or www.teamrwb.org for veterans, or to Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola. Notes for his family can be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Tom Cellers
