Thomas Joseph Eichhorn

Thomas Joseph Eichhorn, 71, of Vassar, KS passed away Thursday, May 7, 2020 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka. Private family graveside will be held at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Mr. Eichhorn will lie in state from 10:00 A.M. to noon on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at Dengel & Son Mortuary where family and friends may pay their respects staying in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions. Tom was born April 13, 1949 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of William J. and Janet M. (Reise) Eichhorn. He has lived in Vassar since the mid-1970’s moving from Lawrence, Kansas. Tom had previously lived and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from St. John Vianney High School, St. Louis, Missouri with the class of 1967. Tom continued his education for 3 years at the University of Kansas. On September 1, 1985 Thomas was united in marriage to Nila Baker at Vassar. They were happily married nearly 35 years and had two sons, Brandon and Richard. Tom was employed with Goodyear Tire Company in Topeka as a production worker for over 30 years, retiring in 2014. He was also the owner/operator of the Ice Cream Shop in Vassar in the early to mid-1970’s, and managed the Beto Junction in the early 1970’s. He was a member of the Ottawa Town & Country Church of Christ. Tom loved his family and grandchildren always making them the most important thing in his life. He was known for always helping others and would do anything for anyone. Tom and Nila enjoyed spending time together vacationing on cruise ships and traveling. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dan Eichhorn. Survivors include his wife Nila of the home; two sons, Brandon Eichhorn and wife Michale of Chanute, and Richard Allan and wife Amber of Bucklin, Missouri; three siblings, Robert Eichhorn and wife Barb of St. Louis, Sandy Bradley and husband Tom also of St. Louis, and Cathy LaBerta and husband Lennie of Mill Creek, Washington; five granddaughters and two grandsons. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Ottawa Town & Country Church of Christ c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.