Thomas
Edward “Tom” Schoonen, age 88, a WWII Army Air Corp veteran and
retired heavy equipment operator died October 20, 2009 at the Phillips
County Hospital, Malta, MT.
Funeral services will be held in
Malta
, MT at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27,
2009, with Father Jim O’Neil officiating. Military Honors will be held
outside the church following the services. Interment will be at 2:00
P.M. at the
Hillview
Cemetery
, Hinsdale,
MT.
Condolences
may be left at www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being made by the
Kirkwood Funeral Home
in
Malta
.
Tom is survived by brothers and sisters - Mary Stinger of Idaho Falls,
ID,
Frances
Hunt of St. Helens, OR, Dave Schoonen (Helen) of Idaho Falls, ID, Ruth
Harrington (Don) of Butte, MT, Tony Schoonen (Margaret) of Ramsay, MT,
and Margaret Whitney of Mapleton, UT. Tom was preceded in death by his
parents, his beloved wife Irene passed away on May 17, 1992, infant
twin brothers and two sisters, Irene and Viola.
Tom was born to John and Annie Schoonen on October 17, 1921, at
Woodrow
,
Saskatchewan
,
Canada
. He attended school at the
Rocky
Ridge
School
, north of
Thoeny
,
Montana
, and later was schooled at the State Orphans Home near
Twin Bridges
,
Montana
.
Tom served in the Army Air Force during World War II and was stationed
in
England
. He served as a gunner on a B-24 bomber flying 32 missions over
Germany
and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). After
his discharge from the Service, Tom worked for three years in
Alaska
before returning to his home town of
Hinsdale
.
Tom also purchased a small farm northeast of
Hinsdale
,
Montana
with a G.I. loan. John Schoonen (Tom's father) lived and worked on
this farm for about 30 years. When John passed away, Tom sold the farm
to the Montana State Fish and Game Department for a wildlife preserve.
Later, Tom married Irene Taylor of
Saco
,
Montana
. They had no children but Tom enjoyed Irene's grandchildren from her
previous marriage. After living in Park Grove near
Fort Peck
,
Montana
for a number of years, Tom and Irene sold their property holdings, and
retired to
Malta
,
Montana
; purchasing a home there. Tom and Irene enjoyed traveling to visit
friends and relatives. They also spent some special time together
visiting
Las Vegas
. Tom and Irene were most gracious to those family and friends who
visited them throughout the years.
His beloved wife Irene passed away on May 17, 1992 in
Malta
and was buried at
Hinsdale
,
Montana
. Although there was sadness in his life alone, he always had a smile
and a kind word or helping hand for those who knew him.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at the
Hi-Line
Retirement
Center
and at the
Phillips
County
Hospital
. Their compassion and gentle care for Tom during his time there
is greatly appreciated.
