Thomas "Tom" William Schemmel, age 86, of Durant, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at Genesis East Medical Center, Davenport.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Durant Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Durant Ambulance. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Tom was born on July 27, 1937, the son of Rudolph and Vera (Nagel) Schemmel in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He graduated from Davenport Central High School with the Class of 1955. He married his high school sweetheart, Deanna Marten, on Aug. 24, 1957, in Davenport.
Tom worked at Long Grove feed mill for thirteen years before beginning his career at Ralston Purina in Davenport, working for thirty years before retiring in 2000. He also farmed the family farm and worked alongside and helped his sons on their farms for many years. Tom enjoyed fishing, bowling, gardening, the occasional trip to the casino, playing cards with family and friends, and dancing with his wife, Deanna. Most of all, Tom loved attending his grandchildren's activities and spending time with his family.
Tom will be dearly missed by his wife, Deanna; four children, Mary (Mark) Wemmie, Kevin (Karen) Schemmel, Dean (Susan) Schemmel, and Jeff (Courtney) Schemmel; ten grandchildren, Matthew (Hallie) Wemmie, Brian (Jenny Benjamin) Wemmie, Alyssa and Nathan Schemmel, Sarah and Andrew Schemmel, and EJ, Haley, Meghan, and Samuel Schemmel; four great grandchildren, Henry, Lorelei, Harrison, and Emerson; and one brother, Roger Schemmel.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister in-law, Julia Schemmel.