Tommy W. Postlewait

Tommy W. Postlewait, 83, El Dorado Springs, passed away Feb. 13, 2011, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. He was born May 1, 1927, in St. Clair County to Virgil and Lillian Dorthea (Wilcox) Postlewait. Tommy grew up in rural Osceola and Clinton, OK.

Tommy joined the Merchant Marines when he was 17 years of age, immediately following enlistment in the U.S. Army and later the U.S. Navy during WWII era. His military overseas tours took him to Germany and France.

He married Ruby Mooney in 1956 in Kansas City and they relocated to California. They owned and operated several businesses, including a very successful Shaklee dealership where they earned new cars and trips for several consecutive years. When Ruby’s health deteriorated, Tommy cared for her at home until her death.

Following Ruby’s death, Tommy retired and moved back to Osceola to live with his widowed sister, Maggie Lee Greathouse.

Later in life, Tommy gave his heart to the Lord and he became a faithful supporter of his church in tithes and offerings, even insisting that his plumbing crew tithe 10% to his church. He loved going to church and dearly loved all the people at Herriman Chapel Church of God (Holiness).

Tommy enjoyed golfing, camping and playing guitars. He had a great love for music and played in several bands and at church until he was no longer able to do so.

Tommy had many friends and family members in Missouri as will as friends in California that he talked to weekly. Cena Jones and her husband had been very close friends of both Ruby and Tommy in California. During a phone conversation to Cena, who was a widow, Tommy invited her for a visit to Missouri for a week. The two married in 2001 and enjoyed a few happy years together, traveling, visiting and playing Skipbo, until their health began to deteriorate to the point they could no longer maintain a marriage.

He leaves behind five nieces and two nephews - Ida Ruth Tucker - Independence, Mary Lillian Sisseck – Deerfield, J.V. Greathouse - Harding, IL, Bonnie Carol Query - Nevada, Brenda Lee Dilly - Deerfield, Betty Jean Yockey - El Dorado Springs, and Thom Greathouse - Las Vegas, NV. Tommy Postlewait was the last member of this Postlewait lineage.

Services were held Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel in Osceola with Rev. Bill Smith and Rev. David Woods officiating. Music was Look For Me and Home, Sweet Home by the Greathouse family.

Casketbearers were – Charles Bourland, Bob Bourland, Kevin Sisseck, Kris Sisseck, Joshua Query and David Baker. Honorary
casketbearers were Jack Lady and Jerry Yockey. Burial with military honors was in the Yeater Cemetery near Osceola.

Arrangements were by the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home Osceola.

Memorials can be made to Herriman Chapel Church of God (Holiness) in care of Sheldon Funeral Home.