Thomas Shirley

Pastor Thomas D. Shirley, age 92, passed away on August 24, 2025.

He was born January 18, 1933, to the late Thomas C. and Florence (Thurman) Shirley in Pekin, IL. He proudly served his country in the United States Army before going to Bible college. Tom graduated from Tennessee Temple College in 1959 and Seminary in 1962. He was a pastor for over 50 years to churches in Tennessee, Mississippi, Illinois, and Iowa including Valley View Baptist Church here in Council Bluffs. He enjoyed energetically leading music during Bible School and working with camp ministries in the summer. Pastor Shirley was a jack of all trades and was usually working on projects around the church or for family and friends. He loved his family, God's Word and tools.

As a teenager he went to a church meeting where personally saw the truth of:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Mina Mae Holverson and Phyllis Shirley; son, Thomas Dale Shirley Jr.; and son-in-law, Don Sweazy.

Pastor Shirley is survived by his wife of 70 years, Luanna G. Shirley; children, Luanna L. Shirley, Maelene Wormley (David), and Donella Sweazy; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Shirley; grandchildren, Jessica Clemsen (Aaron), Joshua Wormley (Bethany), Jacob Wormley, Thomas Shirley III, Emma Shirley, and Samuel Sweazy; 8 great grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Friday, September 12, 2025. Interment will be that afternoon at Omaha National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to IBM Global to assist in missions work in Africa. https://ibmglobal.org/missionary/w-josh-bethany-support