Thomas Reilly

Thomas A. Reilly, age 86, of Columbus, Nebraska died Thursday March 14, 2002 at the Columbus Community Hospital. Funeral Services are 10:00 a.m. Monday March 18, 2002 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus with Rev. Tom Weisbecker officiating. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery with Military Honors by Hartman Post #84 American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation is after 3:00 p.m. Sunday with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Monday morning from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. also at the funeral home.

Thomas A. Reilly was born June 21, 1915 in Platte Center, Nebraska to Frank G. and Kathryn (Cronin) Reilly. He attended public and parochial school in Platte Center. Tom served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1941-1945 where he was stationed in the South Pacific Theater from 1943 - 1945. Tom attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star. On October 9, 1945 he was united in marriage to Valaria L. Pachunka at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. The couple lived in Columbus where Tom owned and operated the Avenue Bar until his retirement in 1979. He owned and raced thoroughbred horses on the Nebraska Circuit and was a member of the Nebraska Thoroughbred Association. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Church, V.F.W. #3704, Hartman Post #84 American Legion and a former member of the Lions and Eagles Club. Tom was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed gardening.

He is survived by: Wife Valaria L. Reilly of Columbus, NE
Daughter Judy (Richard) Fleischer of Columbus, NE
Son Robert J. (Marcia) Reilly of Central City, NE
Son Ron (Connie) Reilly of Columbus, NE
Son Tom J. (Patty) Reilly of Valley, NE
Daughter Sonja (Eloy) Trujillo of Denver, CO
Eight Grandchildren
Six Great Grandchildren
Three Nieces

He is preceded in death by:
Father Frank G. Reilly
Mother Kathryn Reilly
Sister Maura Johnson
Sister Catherine Reilly
Brother Frank Reilly
Brother Maurice Reilly
Great Grandson Timothy
Sister Margaret Hayes