Thomas Homan Obituary

Thomas Oscar Homan, 76, of Indianola passed away peacefully during a nap on July 10, 2025 after years of heart problems. Tom was born to Carl and Jean (Henrich) Homan on November 6, 1948, in Alton, Iowa. One of five children, he had a knack for getting into mischief. In his younger days, he spent time working on the family farm, golfing, and running around until dark. After graduating from Spalding High School, Tom held a wide variety of jobs, including positions at an Orange City Bank, Spencer Rendering, and even a car wash in Boulder, Colorado. Addiction took hold of Tom and held on fiercely. It wasn't an easy road - it took multiple attempts. But through the support of Alcoholics Anonymous and a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, Tom found freedom and lasting sobriety. In the years that followed, Tom humbly walked alongside others on their own paths to recovery, offering hope, understanding, and the love of Christ. After this journey, in April 1979, Tom decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar. At guitar class, a cute girl named Diane Helmick got his number - and the rest is history. Tom and Diane were married on November 17, 1979. And as it turns out, no one ever really learned to play the guitar. Diane accepted a teaching job at Irving Elementary, which brought the couple to Indianola. Tom worked on the square at a clothing store, The Squire Shop. Despite being color blind and no lover of fashion, he loved his job - and the people even more. He later took a job at American National Can working as a supervisor for the next 30 years before retiring when he was 60. Tom was known for his hard work and for his ability to solve problems no one else could. Tom and Diane had three children - Rachel, Elizabeth and Michael whom they raised in Indianola where they made their home. As they raised their children, Tom's childhood adventures served as bedtime stories for the children. Days were filled with traveling, overtime, golfing, renting movies, looking for the remote control, his loud music, extended family visits, and lots of Oreos. Tom was an avid golfer with five holes-in-one to his name and sure did love his golf buddies. Many winter golf trips down south were taken over the years, and it always seemed to snow here when he was gone. Cracking jokes on the course was one of Tom's favorite pastimes, and to him, everyone he met on the golf course was a friend. Within the last few years Tom also developed a love for electric bikes and often stopped to visit friends along his rides. It was yet another way he stayed connected - always making time for the people he cared about. Tom and Diane had six grandchildren, who lovingly called him Papa. He spent much of his retirement enjoying countless adventures with them - from golf cart, bike, and convertible rides, traveling together, endless sleepovers filled with jokes & ice cream for breakfast, stories, saying "yes", and sharing his eccentric music and YouTube videos he loved. He played a vital role in their lives and activities. To know Tom was to love and enjoy him. His ability to connect with anyone was a true gift to all who met him. He was straightforward, opinionated, and stubborn - yet also tender, witty, and generous. Strong-willed and trustworthy, loyal and kind, he was a natural problem-solver, diligent, hard-working, and always authentic. In his eyes, he was always right. Left to cherish and deeply miss him are his loving wife of 45 years, Diane; his children Rachel (Brian) Farley, Liz (Derek) Mueller, and Michael (Rachel) Homan; and his six incredibly precious grandchildren - Ada and Cora Farley, and Caden, Ellie, Benson, and Beckett Mueller. He is also survived by his siblings: Carla (Don) Schaper, Mike (Jan) Homan, Nancy Reiken, and Dave (Cathy) Homan; his cousin Steve Henrich who was like a brother; and his in-laws: Ann (John) Williams, Barbara (Tiana) Helmick, Craig Helmick, and Jim Helmick. Tom's memory will also be carried on by many beloved nieces and nephews: Gretchen, Adam, Eric, Jeff, Matt, Sara, Robert, Steven, Matthew, Nate, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Augusta, Nate, and Abigail. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Jean and Carl, mother and father-in-law Jim & Kaddy Helmick, and sister-in-law Sheila Helmick. Visitation will be held at Overton Funeral Home on Monday, July 21, with family present from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will take place at Overton Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 22 at 11:00 a.m. Guests are welcome to wear golf attire in honor of his love for the game. A luncheon will follow the service at The Indianola Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Tom may be given to his two favorite places in town, The Indianola Country Club or The Indianola Public Library.