White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

DUNKERTON - Thomas J. DeLong, 84, of Dunkerton, IA, died Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at his daughter’s house in Readlyn, IA, after living multiple years with dementia.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. – Monday, July 15, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, Dunkerton, with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Dunkerton, with Military Rites conducted by Peter-Kress American Legion Post #636.
Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 14^th at White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA. Visitation will also be for an hour before services, Monday, at the church.

Tom was born, July 12, 1939, in Waterloo, IA, the son of Nathaniel Jurgens DeLong and Gladys Marie (Ackerman) DeLong. Tom graduated from Dunkerton High School in 1957 and worked for John Deere in Waterloo, IA, until his retirement in 1994. On July 23, 1960, he was united in marriage to Kristin Jo Shimp at the First Baptist Church in Dunkerton. She preceded him in death on May 1, 2016.

Tom was very active throughout his life and was able to master many skills along the way. He joined the Army Reserve out of high school and was Dunkerton’s first Boy Scout to earn Eagle Scout designation. In 1999, Tom had the honor to present his grandson, Eric with the same award. Tom loved to hunt and fish. It was a family tradition for Tom to bring each grandchild out to hunt - even if it was only once. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dunkerton, where he held multiple leadership positions. In Dunkerton he also gave his time to the community as past mayor, city councilmen, police officer, parks board member, school bus driver, and telephone board member. He also served on the Veridian Credit Union board, UAW retirees trip committee, and he received the Waterloo Courier’s 8 over 80 award. Tom was a member of the Peter-Kress American Legion Post #636. The last couple years of his life, Tom lived at Bridges Senior Living in Waterloo, and made many new friends there.

Tom is survived by his children, Lisa (Bill) Shook of Dunkerton, Denise (Scott) Schock of Readlyn, David (Cheryl) DeLong of Dunkerton; 12 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; one brother, James (Becky) DeLong of Dunkerton; and one sister, Patricia Ryherd of Waterloo. He’s also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kristin; one daughter, Wendy Broten; two still born siblings, Paul and Pauline DeLong; one brother, Harold (Helen) DeLong; and one brother-in-law, John Ryherd.

Memorials may be directed to the family to be directed to organizations close to Tom’s heart.
Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com

White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA, is assisting the family with arrangements.