Thomas William "Tom" Knisley

Thomas William Knisley, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Lafayette, Indiana, December 24, 2025.

Tom was born in Rockwell City, IA to Merlin and Lucille on November 2, 1946. He graduated from Rockwell City High School, class of 1964.

Tom met his beautiful wife, Beatrice (Bea) at a Singles in Agriculture dance and Ostrich farm tour in 1991. They were married the following year on June 20, 1992. Tom's family grew instantly to include four children, spouses, and eight grandchildren. This grew to 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Tom worked at Webb's in Rockwell City delivering feed and raising chicken for a number of decades. Tom and Bea raised hogs adding a finishing unit and nursery to the family farm. Their company name was TomBea, Inc. He also served on the Rockwell City Police Department and owned his own automotive gas and service station for a number of years.

Tom enjoyed gardening with Bea and they did a lot of canning. They continued this after they moved from Rockwell City to Lafayette, IN in 2019. Tom self-taught himself cooking starting in 2015 after they sold TomBea, Inc. He enjoyed cooking, making delicious meals with special sauces and flavors.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Bea of 33 years of Lafayette, IN; son Dean Davis of Fort Lauderdale, FL; daughter Tamera (Kevin) Bowditch of Lafayette, IN; daughter Amber Hurst of Cincinnati, OH; Michael Davis of Grandville, OH; 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; sister Nancy Klaassen of West Des Moines, IA; niece Janelle (Shawn) Kopriva of Winter Park, FL; nephew Brent (Nichole) Klaassen of Waukee, IA; niece Stephanie (John) Mueller of West Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merlin Knisley and Lucille Fouts Knisley.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony, at 12pm Friday, January 16 th, 2026, at Soller-Baker Funeral Home Chapel, with visitation from 11am. A live stream of the service will be on Tom's obituary page at www.soller-baker.com. Ceremonies will continue in Rockwell City, IA; arrangements there are being finalized. Memorial Contributions may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. The family requests floral orders be made through Roth Florist, 436 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901, phone number 765-423-5302. Lafayette Florist | Lafayette IN Flower Shop | ROTH FLORIST