Thomas Edward Earp, 101, of Sully, died Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at The Cottages in Pella. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. Memorials have been designated for Killduff United Methodist Church.
Thomas, the son of Charles and Bertha (Briggs) Earp, was born Dec. 12, 1919, at his family’s home in Elk Creek Township of rural Killduff. As a teen, he went forward to accept Jesus as his Savior during a camp meeting in Galesburg. Thomas served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. Feb. 20, 1943, Thomas was united in marriage with Virginia Compton in Hattiesburg, MS. After his return from the service, he made his lifelong home back in Jasper County. Thomas worked as a farmer and sheep shearer, and had a 33- year career at Maytag Company in Newton, retiring in 1986. He always stayed busy though and was widely known for raising German Shepherds and his extensive garden, which he sold much of the produce from at local farmers markets. He also enjoyed making pies and cookies. Thomas was a dad and grandpa to everyone from his children’s friends to the nurses that loved him at The Cottages.
Thomas is survived by his children: Warren (Pat) Earp of Florence, TX, Louise Rorebeck of Ankeny, Diane Earp of Cedar Rapids, Wyatt (Cindy) Earp of Osage Beach, MO, Lenis De Cook of Sully, and Sheila (Loren) Greenough of Urbandale; grandchildren: Jason (Joanna) Earp, Allyson (Randy) Springer, David (Lynda) Barton, Rachel Barton, Ria (Andy) Newcomb, Katlyn (Curtis) Kerr, Lacie (Ronnie) Dykstra, Craig Thomas (Kari) Gosselink, Tessa (RJ) Van Dyke, Danielle (Derek) Van Wyk, Adam (Catherine) De Cook, Tara (Jordan) Vos, Victoria (Joel) Lewicki, and Auburn (Colin) Van Kooten; his great-grandchildren: Cody, Ryan Kyle, Reed, Nick, Mariah, Isaiah, Zion, Israel, Addison, Sage, Chase, Lance, Collin, Dalton, Kaiden, Terran, Merra, Emma, Eddie, Casen, Conner, Jonah, Audrey, Reuben, Elise, Simon, Matthew, Benjamin, Violet, Silas, Penelope, Blaine, and Beau; his sister Phyllis Mitchel of Pulaski, TN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Virginia; daughter Rhonda Gosselink; sons-in-law Arvin De Cook and Craig Gosselink; three sisters; two brothers in infancy; and grandson-in-law Joseph Lane.
