Thomas E. Wilson

Marengo- Thomas E Wilson was born January 1, 1950, Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was the son of Ernest Thomas & Wilma Fay (Vinall) Wilson. He attended school at Iowa Valley and graduated from Benton Community High School in 1968, where he met the love of his life. On August 26, 1972, Thomas was united in marriage to Diane Sue Junge at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone. They made their forever home south of Marengo. He owned and operated Wilson Trucking, driving straight trucks and semis since he was 18 years old and gaining his handle “Banjo” since everyone could hear banjo music over the CB radio. He worked as a pressman at American Color Graphics and met a few life-long friends. Tom then worked as a farm hand until he fully retired to care for his wife. Tom was a member of the Belle Plaine, Marengo and Cedar Rapids Masons, and the El Kahir Shrine of Cedar Rapids. He proudly served as commander of the El Kahir Arabian Horse Troop for several years parading around the country with his trusted steeds, Raffix then Felix. He enjoyed his family, close and extended, and often reminisced of all the joy and laughter they brought. His good ol’ days consisted of turkey hunting trips with the guys, splitting wood or road trips with family, and spending his days off tinkering in his shop with his daughter in his shadow. Tom was always up for teaching a life-hack, sharing advice, or giving an opinion, whether a person wanted it or not. He was often blamed for being ornery, and was such until he went out in a blaze of glory on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the University Of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City at the age of 75 years.

He will be missed dearly by the “best son he never had”, daughter, Ashley (Jordan) Meek of Williamsburg; and his two favorite “buddies”, grandchildren, Avery and Jacob Meek.

He was preceded by his parents; wife Diane; his sister Florence and brother-in-law John Hayes; friend Gary Bunn; and a slew of aunts, uncles and cousins who are all having the best reunion.

Celebration of Life Services will be held 10:30 am on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the American Legion in Marengo. Burial will follow in the Marengo Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 -7:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Marengo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Hope Foundation at Compass Memorial Healthcare in Marengo or the Iowa County Fair. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.