VINTON:  Tom Van Gorder, age 57, of West Plaines, MO, and formerly of Vinton, died Sunday, September 10, 2006 at Ozark Medical Center in West Plaines, MO following a sudden illness.
     A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, on Thursday, September 14, 2006 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vinton with Father David Ambrosy as Celebrant.  Private Committal Services will be held.  A Memorial Service will be held in West Plaines, MO at a later date.  Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton where a Vigil Service will begin at 7:30 PM.
     Tom was born July 27, 1949 at Cedar Falls, IA to Milton and Frances (Henkle) Van Gorder and attended East Buchanan High School.
     On January 14, 1998 he married Connie Arp at Maui, Hawaii.  The couple lived in rural Vinton for fourteen years before retiring to West Plaines, MO in 2004. 
     While living in Iowa he was employed by Blahnik Construction in Cedar Rapids as a Millwright and he retired on August 1, 2004 after thirty years of employment.  Tom was a member in good standing of the Millwright and Technical Engineers Local Union 2158 of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.  Tom was always an outdoor enthusiast and gardener.  He loved sharing the abundance of produce from his garden with family and friends.  During retirement he had discovered the joy of reading and was currently reading "A Walk In The Woods".   Twice a month through "Paws For Friendship" he took his dogs "Bubba and Sam" to local nursing homes in West Plaines to visit residents.  He loved bluegrass music and living in the Ozarks.
     Tom is survived by his wife, Connie of West Plaines, MO; his children Teri Lynn Goins of Ankeny, IA, Tara Teel of Winthrop, IA, and Chelsea Van Gorder of Quasqueton, IA; his grandchildren, Blake and Hana Goins and Jordan and Nathan Teel; his mother, Frances Van Gorder of Evansdale, IA; his siblings, Rita Pillard of Ellsworth, IA, Nancy (Rich) Michels of Independence, IA, Jeanette (Danny) Miller of San Antonio, TX, Dennis (Barb) Van Gorder of North Fayette, IA, and Betty Van Gorder of Maple Grove, MN.
     Preceding him in death were his father; his sister, Shirley; and his brother, Dale.