BOONE, Iowa—Thomas Earl Tilley, age 77, of Boone, Iowa, passed away at his home on February 16, 2026, with family at his side. Tom, son of T. Earl and Opal (Fairchild) Tilley was born August 30, 1948, and was a life-long resident of Boone.
Tom graduated from Boone High School in 1966, and later married Jean Carlberg from Stratford on May 14, 1971, in Boone, where they made their home and raised their children. After graduation, Tom worked at Prichard Bros. Plumbing and Heating, and also at Percival Manufacturing in Boone for several years before starting his thirty-three year career at 3M Company in Ames. During this time, he started in the warehouse, became a Production Team Leader, Maintenance Supervisor, and lastly served as an Outsourcing Administrator. He retired in 2006.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Norene Graham and Susan Tolan; and brother-in-law Dave Tolan, all of Boone. Tom is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean; daughter, Robyn (Paul) Greteman, of Carroll; son, Derek (Donette) Tilley, of Stratford; grandchildren, Conor, Samantha, and Cooper; sister, Karen (Nile) Richey, of Stratford; brother, Jeff Tilley, of Stratford; sister-in-law, Peggy (Darle) Myers, of Lehigh; brother-in-law, Jim Carlberg, of Stratford; former brother-in-law, Ron Graham, of Boone; Aunt Arlys Westrum, of Boone; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Tom will be profoundly missed by his family and friends.
Tom was an avid gardener and outdoorsman. He enjoyed tending his large garden space near his home in Boone, and freely shared with others. He had a lifelong respect and passion for wildlife and the outdoors. Tom loved hunting and fishing with friends and family whenever possible.
A visitation will be held Friday, February 20, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, 1006 6th Street, Boone, with a private burial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the family for later designation.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone.
Thomas Tilley, 77, Boone, Iowa
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