Obituary of Thomas Harold Cronin

Thomas Harold Cronin, the son of Guy Harold and Mildred Julia (Buckley) Cronin, was born January 9, 1925 in Dunlap, Iowa. Tom attended schools in Council Bluffs, Iowa and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1944. On January 10, 1948 Tom was united in marriage with Doris Alice Johnson at the Holy Family Church in Council Bluffs. Tom worked and managed the Safeway Grocery in Newton for 30 years and was a salesman for Maples Chevrolet in Newton for 15 years. Tom was one who always enjoyed having fun. He enjoyed bowling, dancing (especially Polkas), golfing, playing cards, and his trips to the casinos. Tom was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton and the Elks Lodge #1270. Tom died on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 in the Hospice of Jasper County Monarch Wing at Skiff Medical Center. He was 86 years old. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sally Little; a son-in-law, Greg Thiel; a granddaughter, Lisa Warden; and his brother-in-law, Ed Davis. Those left to honor Tom's memory include his wife, Doris of Newton; his sons, Steve (Kathy) Cronin of Hendersonville, TN and Mike (Sue) Cronin of Riverside, IA; his daughter, Pat Thiel of Ankeny, IA; a son-in-law, David Little of Newton; his grandchildren, Jason (Jane) Cronin, Justin Cronin, Katie Cronin, Kerry (B.J.) Moore, Alyssa Thiel, Carly Thiel and Patrick Cronin; his two great granddaughters; his sister, Lorraine Davis of Council Bluffs, IA; his brother, Donald (Phyllis) Cronin of Long Beach, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Tom will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 16th at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. The family will greet friends Saturday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated in Thomas's name to the Hospice of Jasper County or to the donor's choice and may be left at the church or at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.