Clifford Thomas

Clifford Thomas, 90, of Glenwood, IA passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the CHI Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service starting at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at the Villisca Cemetery in Villisca, IA. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood is caring for Clifford and his family.

Memorials: Oak Township Fire Department

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Clifford Charles Thomas, 90 of Glenwood, IA. Surrounded by family, he found peace on March 10, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA.

Clifford was born October 14,1934 in Corning, IA to Francis and Mildred (Reason) Thomas. From an early age, hard work and sacrifice were instilled in Cliff. He was unable to continue his education after 8th grade and went straight to work on the family farm. Circumstances moved him to Villisca where he met a young Deloris Oltmanns and on June 18,1955 they married, a union that spanned 67 years and resulted in five children. Less than a month later on July 5, 1955 he was drafted into the US Army and spent the next 8 years serving his country. He was honorably discharged with a medal for good conduct and recognition as a sharpshooter.

Upon returning, Cliff and Deloris moved their family to Mineola, IA. Cliff was a skilled Jack of all Trades, Volunteer Fire Chief for the Mineola Fire Department, and active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Cliff and his brother, Sam, founded and successfully operated Thomas Bros Trucking Inc. The enjoyment found in trucking never ceased and Cliff continued driving until he fully retired several years later.

Cliff loved to puzzle, was always up for a friendly dice or card game and never turned down a root beer float. He was a gifted storyteller with a natural charm and demeanor that will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Mildred Thomas; his beloved wife, Deloris; his son, Clifford Jr.; and his siblings: Bonnie, Margie, Sam, June, Betty, Dale, and Jeannie.

Clifford is survived by his sister, Dixie Steiber, Sidney, IA; his children, Annette (Brian) Heath, Groveland, FL; Jeff Thomas, Silver City, IA; Susie (Stu) Miller, Silver City, IA and Darren (Dixie) Thomas, Glenwood, IA;daughter-in-law, Kelly Thomas, Tabor, IA; 17 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and several exchange students he considered family; other relatives and a host of friends.