Tom J. Klingbiel

Tom J. Klingbiel

June 25, 1934-February 4, 2021

MOLINE-Tom J. Klingbiel, 86, of Moline, died Thursday, February 4, 2021 at home. In person funeral services will be private on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, however, will be broadcast via live-stream at 1:00 pm by visiting www.wheelanpressly.com/live-stream. A public visitation will be from 4-7 pm Monday, February 8, 2021 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Face masks and social distancing will be required. Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials may be made in care of the Bethany for Children and Families, Moline, East Moline Rotary, American Cancer Society or Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Tom was born on June 25, 1934 in Moline, Illinois, a son of Raymond I. and Julia Stone Klingbiel. He graduated from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin where he played football, basketball and ran track. Tom was a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran who served in New Mexico from 1958-1960. He married Elinor "Ellie" Wilson on April 3, 1965 at the First Methodist Church, Rock Island.

Tom's career was spent in the world of finance. Initially, he was employed by A.C. Allyn. He went on to become vice president of F.I DuPoint, which later merged with Glore Forgan. He then became executive vice president and partner in the firm of Reinholt Gardner. In later years, he was with E.F. Hutton, which evolved into Morgan Stanley, where he retired.

Tom was a member of First Congregational Church, Moline and a 50-year member of the East Moline Rotary, holding offices of president and director. He was also a 10-year member of the Moline Jaycees; an eight-year member of the Moline Citizen's Advisory Board; and a 20-year member of Moline Community Chest, currently known as the United Way. His extensive work with the American Cancer Society resulted in his appointment as area district chairman, state director and vice chairman. For nine years, Mr. Klingbiel served as Friendship Manor's assistant treasurer and director. He was both director and treasurer for Bethany Home and served as an active adviser. In addition, he was chairman of the Chief Black Hawk Group for the Boy Scouts of America, which led to his positions as treasurer and district director of the Illowa Council. He served as assistant to the board of directors for the First National Bank of Rock Island. He was named honorary fundraising chairman of the Quad City Botanical Center, was given the Honorary Fundraising Award for Bethany Home in 2002-2003 and had been named a Paul Harris Fellow for Rotary International.

Tom enjoyed skiing, tennis, hunting, fishing, golfing, hiking, biking and traveling.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Elinor "Ellie" Klingbiel, Moline; children, Mike Klingbiel, Denver, Co., Katherine "Kitty" Hillyer, Moline, Scott (Christi) Klingbiel, Naples, Fla. and Christine "Chrissy" Hillbloom, Moline; grandchildren, Matthew and Ashley Klingbiel, Nick, Alex, Tommy and Juliann Hillyer, Pierce and Carly Klingbiel and Sarah, Dylan and Kaylee Hillbloom; great-grandchildren, Bennett Hillyer and Elijah Hillyer; niece, Anne Simpson; nephew, Tom Simpson; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Donna Simpson.

Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com