Thomas Eugene "Tom" Cellers

Thomas E. "Tom" Cellers, Sr., 94, of Iola passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2017 in Iola following a brief illness. Tom was born April 23, 1923 in Lebo, Kansas to Everett and Nola (Doherty) Cellers. He married Ethel Castle on November 14, 1942 in Burlington, Kansas. They made their home in Burlington, Kansas 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 at Lawrence, Kansas 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 of Iola, and Tom Cellers, Jr. and wife, Diane, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; grandchildren, Nicole Hines and husband, Shawn, of Gas, Scott Cellers and wife, Tonya, of Hot Springs, Jackson Cellers and wife, Shelby, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Gretchen Cellers of Hot Springs, and Stephanie Cellers of Little Rock, Arkansas, 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 will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Graceland Cemetery near Burlington. Visitation will be Friday the 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola. 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 .