Obituaries

Thomas “Tom” A. Quinlan, 94 of Perry, Iowa.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Saturday, February 16, 2019 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Violet Hill Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 3:00 pm Friday, February 15 at Murdock Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 6:30 pm followed by a time of remembrance by family and friends. Tom passed away Monday, February 11, 2019 at Spring Valley Retirement Community in Perry, Iowa.

Thomas A. Quinlan was born October 22, 1924 in Pocahontas, Iowa to Thomas and Frances (Graham) Quinlan. He was the only son and youngest born after the births of his four sisters. Tom graduated in 1942 from Sacred Heart High School in Pocahontas. He joined the Air Force in 1943 and was part of the Signal Air Warning (SAW) 583rd Unit. He served until the war ended in 1945. He later served stateside during the Korean War. After the war, he moved to Kansas City to attend Midland Radio and Television School.

Tom married Bernadine “Binx” K. Stoulil on August 30, 1948 in Pocahontas. He made his career in radio broadcasting in Des Moines, Boone, and Perry. Tom and Binx moved to Perry in 1962 when Tom became co-owner of KDLS radio station. Tom was active in the Elks, St. Patrick’s Parish, Perry Little League, City Council, and the Iowa Broadcasters Association in which he was honored as Broadcaster of the Year in 1999. He retired at the age of 80. In his retirement he enjoyed coffee with friends at the bowling alley, time with grandkids and visits with friends and family.

He is survived by sons Dennis Quinlan of Palm Springs, CA and Tom (Lori) Quinlan. of Mason City; daughters, Kathy (Darwin) Hoskinson of Perry, Patty (Paul) Schlotterbeck of Urbandale; six grandchildren: Matt (Nicole) Hoskinson of Cherokee, Mark (Kristine) Hoskinson of Cedar Falls, Andrea (Joe) Szymczyk of Johnston, Jeff (Rosa) Hansen of Naperville, IL, Jacklyn (Todd) Peterson of Sioux City, and Cassandra Nelson of Elgin, IL; and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years in 1987, son Tim in 1996, and his sisters, Dorothea, Regina, Mary and Frances.

Tom was a proud Irishman and a favorite saying of his was “If you’re lucky to be Irish, you’re lucky enough.” All were lucky who knew him and he will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Spring Valley and St. Croix Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Perry or to the family who will direct gifts to local organizations in Tom’s name. Online condolences may be left at murdockfuneralhome.net.