Tom E. Bakalar

Tom E. Bakalar, 83, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at his home in Newton. Funeral services for Tom will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, which has been entrusted with the arrangements. Pastor Tim Morgan of Pleasant View Methodist Church in Newton will conduct the service. Visitation with the family will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, February 14, beginning one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tom's name may be designated to Suncrest Hospice or Pleasant View Methodist Church in Newton.

Tom, the son of John A. and Mae (Van Gilder) Bakalar, was born on April 22, 1942, in Monroe County, Iowa. He served his country in the United States Army from 1960 to 1962. Tom was employed by the Maytag Company in Newton, retiring in May of 1992. He later worked at Des Moines Area Community College for seventeen years.

On August 11, 1962, Tom was united in marriage to Violet F. Mefford in Albia. The couple lived in Geneva, Illinois, before moving to the Newton area in 1965. Tom devoted his life to his family. He was a member of the Newton V.F.W. Post #1655, American Legion Post #111, Retirees UAW Local #997, and attended Pleasant View Methodist Church. He enjoyed life, meeting people, having fun with friends, going places, and sharing coffee with the Ole Boys.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ralph, Doc, and Terry; and his sisters, Evelyn, Peg, Nancy, Minnie, Mary, Marg and Barb.

Those left to honor Tom's memory include his wife, Violet; his son, Tom Allen Bakalar (Diana Kurimski); his daughter, Kelly (Bill) Umbarger; three grandchildren, Tabitha (DeAndre Moore) Knisley, Gage (Mikala Elsinger) Bakalar, and Rylie Rae Bakalar; four great-grandchildren, Trenton Boddicker, Kyndrick Knisley, Mateo Moore, and Natalia Moore; his brother John Bakalar; sisters Linda Shilling and Bev (Ray) Ragen; his nieces and nephews and his many friends.