Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home - Thomas E. Hyland 1942 - 2016

Obituary photo of Thomas Hyland, Louisburg-KS

In Loving Memory of

Thomas E. Hyland

1942 - 2016

Services & Gatherings

Visitation:

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Penwell-Gabel - Louisburg Chapel
120 S Broadway
Louisburg, KS 66053
913-837-4310

Service:

Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10:00am
Stilwell United Methodist Church 19335 Metcalf Ave. Stilwell, KS

Interment:

Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Overland Park, Kansas

Thomas E. Hyland was 74 when he said goodbye and went to be with the Lord early Friday morning December 30, 2016 at Wellsville Retirement Center in Wellsville, Ks. He originally resided in Stilwell, Kansas until he had to start a new path which led his journey to Wellsville Retirement Center to live out the rest of his life due to his Alzheimer's Disease.

His road began on August 23, 1942. His parents were Herb and Bernice Hyland who resided in Washington, Ks. Tom was blessed to have a little brother named James Patrick Hyland. Tom came to a curve shortly in his life at the early age of 9. He survived a ruptured appendix in 1951. He enjoyed talking about his youth and growing up in Washington, Ks. He injured his knee his senior year at a Washington High School football game. Thomas graduated in 1960. His journey took him to KU where he played trombone for the KU band in 1960-1964. He was a Delta Sigma Phi member and was president one year.

In 1962, Thomas's road led him to Charlene Kingry. They married on August 23, 1964. He was hired by Townley Wholesale Hardware Company in Kansas City in January of 1967. Meanwhile, Thomas and Charlene had three children, Tim, Jackie, and Angie. In 1982, Townley Hardware was sold to a Cleveland Company which led Tom to start a new adventure with a sales rep business. They represented many U.S. companies including one in Mexico and one in Canada. They did business with wholesalers and direct buy retailers. Tom had some curves and bumps along this road of business, but he seemed to always find an alternate route, never giving up. He told his daughter, Jackie, that life is like a basketball game. Always be thinking of your next play in case the first play does not happen.

Tom and Charlene were faced with some challenges along their road of life. They lost their daughter, Angie, in 1995. Thomas retired in 2012 and was shortly diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. When we look back on his life, we believe, he had this early on but due to his ability to adapt, he was able to come up with the next plan or play. Tom would end personal documents with "one mule we find two legs behind and two we find before, but we go behind before we find, what the legs behind before.!"

Thomas was blessed and leaves behind many family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Charlene, son, Tim Hyland and wife Annette, daughter, Jackie Corbett and husband Jeremy, brother, Pat Hyland and wife Leslie, five grandkids and seven great grandkids.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association in Prairie Village, KS or to KSDS in Washington, KS 66968 and sent in care of the funeral home at Penwell – Gabel Louisburg Chapel

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Memories & Condolences

Dear Family of Tom Hyland, I heard of Tom's death through facebook and was so sorry to hear of the loss of such a vibrant spirit. I grew up with Tom in Washington, Ks, went to church together and just had a great friendship with Tom and his family. When we were both at KU that friendship continued. And the few times I got back for the all school reunion,, invariably, Tom would stop over the next AM to chat with Doc, Thres and I. He will be missed and my prayers go out to all of you.

Fondly, Alyce Huntley Bannister

~ Alyce Bannister - January 20, 2017

Mrs. Hyland and family,

I was so sad to hear about Tom's passing from my mother. Please know you are surrounded by love and we are sending prayers for peace and understanding. He was a special guy and loved you all dearly.

Take Care,

Michael

~ Michael Swickard - January 5, 2017

I have always loved my Uncle Tom. His larger then life attitude, smile, and quirky laugh is emblazoned in my memory forever. He always had ready stories and jokes and one-liners like I've never known anyone else to have before or after knowing him. His particular care of his vehicle and his love of baseball, his mom and dad, and his little hometown of Washington, KS where I was honored to graduate from as he and my dad and their dad and grandpa before us did will always be special things that he and I shared.

~ Jenny Hyland - January 4, 2017

Dear Charlene-
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in knowing your husband is now back to being himself and happy to be with Angie again. Sending our prayers and caring thoughts your way.

Dave and MJ Borgerding

~ MJ Borgerding - January 3, 2017

I worked with Tom at Townley and always found him to be very helpful and very funny. I was Loren Trout's secretary. Our paths have't crossed in many years but I have fond memories of Tom and am sorry to learn of his passing. Jill Claxton

~ Jill Claxton - January 3, 2017

Tom was a true "Hardware Man". He had a positive influence on many people in the hardware industry including myself. A honest and dedicated person. May you rest in peace Tom.

~ Bill Reed - January 3, 2017

Tom was a really nice guy who I met at Townley when I called on him as a sales Rep for Westinghouse Lighting in the 1970's. We did the usual lunches, but had some fun going to NAIA basketball games, and going bird hunting. We lost touch as our family responsibilities evolved, but he did call a few times over the years to talk. I'm happy that I knew Tom.

~ John Baltuska - January 3, 2017

So sorry to her of Tom's passing. We did not even know he had alzhiemers. I have very many memories of Tom. He and Pat spent a lot of time at my house as kids, my mother always had food and baked goods. His mom was always at work or on the go. Later, I called him my boyfriend. Over the years, he would stop by and visit, sometimes Charlene was with him. I remember Tom calling to see how he could help with our 50th class reunion. He was always a good friend. I will never forget how much fun our 50th was, we were like kids again. Charlene, we will make a memorial donation to KSDS in Tom's memory. Our prayers are with you and your family..............Bob & Judy.

~ Judy Funke - January 2, 2017

I had the privilege to know Tom when I worked for him for a few years starting in 1994. I and my deceased husband remained friends with Tom and Charlene. We last saw them at their 50th wedding party!
Tom, rest easy!

~ Annette Moes - January 2, 2017

I remember so vividly when I first met Tom. We were in the same pledge class at Delta Sigma Phi and even though we were harassed by the active
members Tom could always find humor in the situation. I have many other memories of Tom but the most important one is how much he loved
the little gal from Kinsley, Kansas (excuse my spelling if that is not right). I only know that she meant the world to him.
Tom will be missed by many. May he rest in peace and my his children find comfort in the years we had him.

~ Tim Emert - January 1, 2017

I first met Tom when I started with Townley in 1975. Tom and I would often talk about our Townley years as being some of the best years we experienced and shared. Tom also called on me when he became a manufacturer’s rep when I was at Blish-Mize so I was able to get a different perspective of Tom in the purchasing department and as a manufacturer’s rep. We also had many opportunities to discuss life and business as competitors and friends when I also became a manufacturer’s rep.
Tom really enjoyed people. He had stories and memories to share at every opportunity. Like all of us he had hardships to deal with and to try and overcome. He was a fighter that way, not a quitter. He faced his battles and kept going.
I hadn’t seen Tom more than a couple of times in the last four or five years. But I am thankful I had the chance to have lunch with Tom and Charlene about a year ago. Tom was an important part of the hardware business in the Kansas City market, and he will be missed.
My deep condolences to Charlene, Tim, and Jackie
Tom Haben

~ Tom Haben - December 31, 2016