GREENWOOD
Thomas Graeme “Tom” Strawn, 101, of Greenwood, formerly of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, May 4, 2015, at Franciscan St. Francis Health in Indianapolis.
He was born Aug. 3, 1913, in Sullivan, the son of the late Walter W. and Martha Glenna (Brunker) Strawn. On Aug. 19, 1939, he married his wife of 66 years, Marjory M. Hostetler, and she preceded him in death on April 1, 2006.
Survivors include his daughter, Karen S. Roberts of Indianapolis; son, Dr. Thomas B. Strawn and wife, Lisa, of Phoenix; sister, Norma Gene Rambow of Washington, D.C.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
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He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Ellen Purcell, Elizabeth Schmidt and Gertrude Hertel; and a brother, Willard Strawn.
Mr. Strawn graduated from Hymera High School in 1931, Indiana State University and received his master’s degree from Butler University.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving as a Lieutenant during World War II.
Mr. Strawn was a member of First Presbyterian Church and AARP. He was also a 75-year member of the F&AM Shelby Lodge #28. Mr. Strawn helped found the Shelby County Youth Shelter, formerly volunteered at Shelby Senior Services and was formerly an officer for the Council on Aging.
He began his teaching career in Jackson Township, Sullivan County from 1937 to 1947. He taught industrial arts at Shelbyville High School from 1947 to 1975 and was guidance director until retiring in 1979.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, with the Rev. Gary Roberts officiating. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until time of service Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Abiding Memorial Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176 or Shelby Senior Services, 1504 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Online condolences may be shared with the Strawn family at freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
