TOM WRENCH

Tom Wrench

Tom Wrench, 90, of Rushville died at 9:15 a.m. Nov. 5, 2014, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

He was born Dec. 27, 1923, in Decatur, the son of Howard Earl and Mabel Elnora Raver Wrench. He married Patricia Henson on Nov. 24, 1956, in Salem. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Roger (and Barbara) Wrench of Rushville, Russell “Rusty” (and Kim) Wrench of Missouri City, Texas, Randy Wrench (and partner Carol Stone) of Rushville, Rebecca (and James) Parker of Tarboro, N.C., Phung (and Mikki) Dao and Thu (and Khai) Nguyen, both of Oklahoma City, Okla., An Chiem of Shanghai, China, Huong Chiem of Chicago, Monte (and Andrea) Clements of Chapin and Sandy Sue (and Lonnie) Hilton of Sterling; one sister, Molly Dolven of Champaign, 22 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

After high school, he attended college for one year before joining the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in India and Burma as a water purification specialist. He and his father served at the same time in the same area.

After his service to the country he worked as a heavy equipment mechanic in Salem. He and Pat later moved to Woodstock Township, Schuyler County, where they farmed. They also owned a general store in Ripley. In 1965, they moved to Rushville and he worked at Grate’s Service and Repair, Rushville Auto Parts and was a sales representative for Snap-On-Tools, retiring in 1982. After his retirement, he became a jack-of-all-trades and was a delivery driver for Roger’s Bakery.

He was a member of Rushville Free Methodist Church. He served as the cook for the church campgrounds for three years and was involved in updating and remodeling the campgrounds. He also was a member of Gideon’s International and Schuyler American Legion Post #4. He also volunteered as the chili cook for Rocket Music Boosters for many years.

Services were held Monday at his church with Reverend Greg Fish officiating. Burial was in Rushville City Cemetery with military rites by U.S. Army Burial Detail and Schuyler American Legion Post #4. Wood Funeral Home in Rushville was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to his church or Gideon’s International.

Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 11/12/2014