KEARNS, Sr., Thomas "Tom"

84, of Port Clinton, OH, died on January 7, 2021, at Stein Hospice Care Center in Sandusky, OH.

He was born on July 21, 1936, in Columbus, OH, to Thomas and Dorothy (Davidson) Kearns. Tom attended Brecksville High School in Cleveland, OH, where he graduated in 1954. He graduated from The Ohio State University with his Bachelor Degree in Industrial Engineering in 1959. During his time at Ohio State he

began two lifelong love affairs; one with the love of his life, Katherine Merle Grace Kearns and the other, with the

Buckeyes. Tom and Merle married shortly after his graduation in 1959.

Tom had a long and successful career at Robbins & Myers in Springfield, retiring after more than 35 years with the company. Tom and Merle spent their retirement years at their condo on Lake Erie where they enjoyed many outings with friends and visits from their children and grandchildren. In retirement, Tom spent many days and weeks retracing the Union Army's movements through the south, visiting each battlefield along the way.

Tom never missed a chance to try his hand at a daily Wall Street Journal crossword puzzle, have an afternoon cigar, or enjoy a martini (or two) at cocktail hour. Tom also enjoyed gardening, genealogy, and oil painting.

Tom was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be truly missed by his four sons and daughters-in-law: Thomas and Kelly of Scenery Hill, PA; Michael and Karen of Columbus, OH; Tim and Dee of Russia, OH; and Matthew of Portland, OR. Memories of kid soup, M&M's on the Christmas train, sleepovers on the boat, and pretzel cigars will be cherished by his nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is survived by one brother Jack and Biruta Kearns of Casper, WY, and

sister-in-law Mary Jo Kearns of Valley Falls, KA.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved Merle; sister Judith Kearns Meyers of Wilmington, OH; and brother Terrance Kearns of Valley Falls, KA.

In the future, when travel is safer, the family is planning to gather friends in a reception to celebrate his life. The date and time will be announced well in advance.

If you wish to remember Tom, the family is suggesting donations to the Hospice Foundation of America, 1707

L Street NW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20036 or [email protected].

Arrangements are entrusted to the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH.

Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Tom's family at davidfkoch.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Springfield News Sun on Jan. 12, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas KEARNS

Sponsored by David F. Koch Funeral Home.

3 Entries

Miss Julie Kay Smithson

January 20, 2023

Tom, I only met you once, at a function pertaining to one of Merle's reelection campaigns, but it was immediately clear that you and she were two halves of one whole. My own parents were married for more than 63 years, so I had a good example of this! Now you and Merle are reunited forever in Heaven and must surely be joyful as well as forever young! I read your brother, Jack Kearns', memories of the two of you growing up. It's clear you had a fine childhood, too!

Jack Kearns

January 17, 2021

After college, Tom and I went our different ways and were separated to over 1,000 or 10,000 miles apart. Relationships were limited to birthday cards and holiday calls.
I do however have warm memories of Tom and I growing up in Brecksville, Ohio.
In the winter, we would rush home from school and grab our skates and homemade hockey sticks to get in a game before dark.
In the summer we played baseball on a vacant lot where we built a complete Diamond, back stop and all.
We also would climb up a huge cherry tree in our orchard and feast along with the robins until we almost fell to the ground.
And then there were the war games toward the end of the War. We sat in our foxhole dug near the road until a Military Police jeep would come by on the way to the Veterans hospital. We would then jump up and plaster the (German) jeep with mud balls. I am sure Tom came up with this idea as I was too young but our parents dealt out equal punishment!
Those days are mostly gone now. No vacant lots, no frozen ponds , but then, there were two young boys having the time of their lives. I am the only one left to relate these and other stories of Tom to his kids and Grandkids if they are interested.
Jack Kearns

Mike and Mindy Donnellan

January 12, 2021

Tom was a very good friend and co-worker. I admired his ability to get along well with everyone. He was a critical member of the Robbins and Myers team. Tom was a valuable mentor to me...and he taught me a lot. I remember his "famous" St. Patrick's Day parties...the comradery and singing were memorial. He leaves a legacy for those of us of the R & M group.

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