Thomas A. Grudgings

Thomas A. Grudgings, age 86, of Marshalltown, Iowa passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, at Accura Healthcare.

Per Thomas and his family’s wishes cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service has been scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 24th, 2026, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. To share condolences, visit www.mitchellfh.com or call

Thomas Alton Grudgings was born on October 6th, 1939, in What Cheer, Iowa. He was the son of Alton and Lois Werner Grudgings. Thomas attended Tri County High School and graduated with the class of 1957. He was able to continue his education at AIB College, studying business. He married his first wife, Mary Lavender in 1967 and they had four children together. In 1997, Thomas married Celeste Springer at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Marshalltown. Thomas was an efficiency/time study engineer who worked for several companies, including Marshall Print, Dunham Bush and Tama Paperboard. He was also a consultant for various other businesses. Thomas was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses who enjoyed sharing with people his hope as outlined in the Bible. In his free time, he enjoyed playing golf, selling fine jewelry at flea markets, and could always be found working outside in the yard. He was a kind and generous man who never knew a stranger.

He is survived by his wife Celeste; his children: Lori (Lloyd) Faulkner of St. Louis, MO, Michael Grudgings of Des Moines, Brooke (Art) Silbernagel of Atkins, and step-son Randy Springer of Marshalltown; his grandchildren: Ellie Silbernagel, Maryn Silbernagel, and step-grandchildren Nicholas (Rachel) Springer of Muscatine, and Katy Springer of Ames; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents Alton and Lois and his infant son Ryan Thomas.

The service will be available via Zoom by the family. Here is the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85771143474?pwd=eX5TJ4JoCvGaKDUXYQ6zAazrNiw4PA.1

Meeting ID: 857 7114 3474                    Passcode: 405208