Tom Finley
Norfolk — Tom Finley died March 25, 2007, at Faith Regional Health Services, Norfolk.
Visitation was March 29 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Norfolk.
Funeral services were March 30 at the Our Savior Lutheran Church, with Pastor Lee Weander officiating.
Burial was at the Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, with military rites conducted by American Legion Post # 267, Clearwater.
Pallbearers were Steve, Mike, Tim, Terry, Tom and Kevin Good.
Honorary Pallbearers were Max and Helen Bohn, Walt and Delilah Schmidt, Terry Carson, Jim Larson, Rick Allen and Dennis Finley.
Thomas LaVern Finley was born Sept. 29, 1944, at O’Neill, to Howard LaVern and Lois (Filsinger) Finley. He was baptized at Concordia Lutheran Church, Clearwater, and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Orchard. He grew up in Ewing, graduating from Ewing High School with the class of 1962. He was inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States Jan. 30, 1964, and discharged Jan. 16, 1967. During this time is when he received his training in office management. Tom returned home and began work in O’Neill at Niobrara Valley Electric Membership Corporation as the office manager. He married Bonnie Snider April 11, 1970, at Concordia Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in O’Neill until 1993 when they moved to Hartington, where he became the general manager of the Cedar-Knox Public Power District. Tom retired in 2005 and moved to Norfolk in 2006.
Tom was a charter member of the Nebraska Rural Electric Credit Union and secretary of the Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust from 1998-2005. He was also very active on various boards and committees during his 39 years with Nebraska Rural Electric Association and was past treasurer of Christ Lutheran Church, O’Neill. Tom was a past member of the O’Neill American Legion Post, a current member of the Hartington American Legion Post and a life member of the American Vets.
Tom loved being surrounded by his grandchildren and family. He enjoyed cooking and grilling at various family events and golfing, camping, computers and Nebraska Sports.
Survivors include his wife Bonnie, Norfolk; four children and their spouses, Jennifer and Mark Bazyn, Norfolk; Melissa and Jason Vietor, Norfolk; Nancy and Carl Schieffer, Crofton; and David Finley, Norfolk; five grandchildren, Vanessa, Austin and Peyton Vietor, Josie Bazyn and Hannah Schieffer: a sister, Marilyn Good, Ewing; and many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, James Good; and nieces, Cynthia Larson and Julie Wright.
Condolences may be sent at www.snidermemorial.com.