Thomas Hesselmann's Obituary
Thomas J. Hesselmann, 82, of Clinton, passed away, Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Addington Place – Clinton.
Funeral Services will be 10:30am, Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm, Tuesday at the funeral home.
Thomas John Hesselmann was born on February 12, 1942 in Dyersville, Iowa the son of Raymond and Anna (Milbert) Hesselmann. He was a graduate of Dyersville High School. He would later graduate from St John’s University, the University of Iowa in 1965, and received his Masters of Public Health in Hospital Administration from the University of California in 1967. He married Sharon Lord in May of 1986 in Missouri.
Tom had a career in hospital administration working in Pueblo, Colorado, Salina, Kansas, St. Joseph’s Missouri, before moving to Clinton, Iowa, in 1986. While in Clinton, Tom was instrumental in the merger of the two hospitals and retired as President/CEO of Mercy Medical Center in 2004.
During his professional career Tom served on many committees and organizations including: the United Way of Clinton, Visiting Nurses Association, Clinton Rotary Club where he was past-President, the Iowa Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association, and the Missouri Hospital Association where he served as chairman from 1980-1982. He enjoyed playing golf and cards with his poker group. He was always known to greet everyone he met or knew with a big smile and a firm hand shake.
Tom is survived by his wife: Sharon; children: Lynn (Jeff) Lilly of Urbandale, Iowa, Mike (Julie) Hesselmann of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Steve (Beth) Hesselmann of Johnston, Iowa; step-son: James (Deb) Lord of Camanche; 9 grandchildren: Kristin (Logan) Riley, Kerri (Zach) Buchheit, Megan Lilly, Caroline Lilly, Jack Lilly, Sam Hesselmann, Ellie Hesselmann, Madison Hesselmann, and Jadyn Hesselmann; two special great-granddaughters: Kendell Grace and Lauren James Riley; a daughter-in-law: Tammy Hesselmann of Dubuque, his brother: Jim Hesselmann of Niwot, Colorado, and sister-in-law: Joanne Smith of Tolona, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his son: Mark, step-son: Michael, one brother, and three sisters.
Memorials can be made to the Mercy Foundation or the Clinton Humane Society.
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