Obituaries

Mass of the Christian Burial for Thomas Free, of Perry, Iowa, will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 27, 2022 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Murdock Funeral Home. There will be a Scripture Rosary service following the visitation at 6:00 p.m. Tom passed away Friday, January 21, 2022 at Dallas County Hospital.

Thomas Glen Free was born July 5, 1946 the son of Glen R. and Lela I. (Asher) Free in Perry, IA. He graduated from Perry High School with the class of 1964.

Tom entered the United States Navy on July 9, 1964 and he received his Honorable Discharge on May 17, 1968. He proudly served his country aboard the USS Constellation. Tom was recognized for his dedication with the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.

Tom met the love of his life, Marilyn T. Corn, at Bishop’s Café in downtown Omaha. Tom and Marilyn were united in marriage on February 14, 1969 in Omaha, NE. They lived in the Omaha area where Tom worked for the United States Postal Service. Tom and Marilyn returned to Perry in 1975 where they raised their family. Tom worked at the Bulk Mail Center in Des Moines, IA in data processing until his retirement.

Tom was a long-time parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he was active in the community and sang in the choir. He was a Knights of Columbus member and performed in many of the Perry Community Theater Plays. Tom enjoyed walking, and he would often walk to the store instead of driving to get around in their small town. Tom loved spending time with his family, and he helped plan and organize the annual Corn Family Reunion every summer. After his retirement from the post office, Tom worked part-time at Murdock Funeral Home until his health declined.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Marilyn Free of Perry, IA; two sons, Andrew (Lisa) Free of Shawnee Mission, KS, Brian (Christina) Free of Omaha, NE; five grandchildren, Katie, Matthew, Emily, Hannah, and Carson; and one sister, Lois Schappaugh of Bettendorf, IA. Preceding Tom in death were his parents, brother-in-law, Byron Schappaugh and one nephew, Dennis Schappaugh.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Tom’s name to a fund of your choice. Memorials and condolences to the family may be sent to Murdock Funeral Home, Perry, IA.