Thomas “Tom” Russell Kemerly

Thomas “Tom” R. Kemerly, 80 years old of Shirley, Indiana, departed this life at Community Hospital of Anderson on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025. Tom was born on January 27th, 1945, to Ralph Stuart Kemerly and Pauline (Foreback) Kemerly of Fortville, Indiana. He attended school at Eden Elementary and graduated in June 1963 from Hancock Central High School in Maxwell, Indiana. He was on the Hancock Central basketball team and the high school baseball team. After graduation, he attended Indiana Central College, University of Indianapolis. He later attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Tom was a local pastor in the United Methodist Church, serving at Lewisville and Center Chapel. He also served as pastor of Upper Fall Creek Church of the Brethren in Middletown, Indiana., as well as campground ministries. He was employed by General Motors Delco Remy/Delphi in Anderson for 33 years before retiring. After retirement he became a school bus driver for Eastern Hancock School Corporation. He drove for various athletic programs, and the teams loved him. Some of his fondest and most enjoyable memories were days spent driving tour buses for various organization trips. Tom was a veteran. He served in the United States Army for 4 years and attained the rank of Specialist E5. He spent 3 years in Germany while in the service and often spoke of the joy of those years. In 2000 he took Marla to Germany and Europe to share with her his memories and to fulfill a promise to himself that the two of them would relive his good times there. In 1971 he married his sweetheart and the love of his life, Marla Dupke of Shirley. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on January 10th, 2025. In addition to Marla, mourning the loss of Tom are his three children, who Marla and Tom were blessed with: Marlisa (Doug Wennen), Jason (Jessica Bay) Kemerly, and Monica Kemerly. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Kirsten (Mrs. Sean Parr), Cole (Allyson Edwards) Kemerly, Kendall (Mrs. Nicolas Couch), Corbin Kemerly, Bryce Wennen, Myles Wennen, and Ross Wennen; four great-grandchildren: Lucinda Kate Parr, Elias Bay Parr, Everett Davis Parr, and Alyssa Marie Kemerly; and his brothers Cleo Kemerly and Jerry (Barbara) Kemerly, as well as several nieces and nephews. Tom will also be greatly missed by the many lives he touched in his community. In addition to his father and mother, he was preceded in death by his siblings Marvin Kemerly and Carolyn Jane Kemerly. Funeral services will be held at Liming Family Funeral Home in Shirley, Indiana. The viewing will be Monday, February 3rd, from 5pm to 8pm. The funeral service will be Tuesday, February 4th, at 11am. Friends and family may call from 10am to 11am prior to the service. Pastor Jason Kemerly will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eastern Hancock Athletic Department or Kendi's Cows of Grace. www.kendiscows.org

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