Tom David Markland, age 91, of New Franklin, passed away September 29, 2016 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico.

He was born December 11, 1924 in Armstrong, the son of David L. and Lenora Snoddy Markland.  Tom attended the Armstrong schools, graduating from Armstrong High School in 1942.  He was attending Missouri Valley College when he was inducted in the United States Army in April, 1943.  After basic training his unit was sent to train in southern England in the fall of 1943 to prepare for the Allied invasion of the European continent.  He was proud to have served in the “Big Red One” First Infantry Division and to have landed in Normandy, France on Omaha Beach on D-Day.  He served in Europe for twenty-four months and was in the campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.  He was awarded five Bronze Stars for those campaigns.  In addition to the Bronze Stars, he received the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Following military service, he graduated from the St. Louis School of Mortuary Science and was then employed for ten years with George C. Carson Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri.  In May, 1957 he purchased the Harry Hall Funeral Home in New Franklin and served the community for thirty-four years, retiring in 1991.

Tom married Doris D. Noll on October 19, 1947 and they were blessed to enjoy over sixty-eight years of marriage.  They were the parents of two daughters, Lenora and Lisa. 

Tom was a member of the First Baptist Church of New Franklin and served as a deacon since 1963.  He was also the church treasurer for fifty-five years.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and served as secretary of Howard Lodge No. 4 for forty years.  He was a Past Patron of New Franklin Order of the Eastern Star.   He served for a number of years on the Howard County Ambulance Board.  Tom was a charter member of the South Howard County Historical Society.  He was a member of the first board of the New Franklin Senior Housing.  Tom and Doris were actively involved in the Silver Liners Senior Center for over twenty years and delivered meals to shut-ins.  Tom and Doris were honored to be Grand Marshalls of the 1994 Santa Fe Trail Parade and were chosen as the first recipients of the New Franklin Citizen of the Year Award in 2002.

In addition to his wife Doris, Tom is survived by two daughters, Lenora (Larry) Barnes and Lisa (Jim) Hackman; five grandchildren, Tim (Kirsten) Barnes, Angela (Billy) Skaggs, April (Jared) Mullett, Jacob Hackman and Mitchell Hackman; six great-grandchildren, Alex Barnes, Hailey Barnes, Kelcy Mullett, Logan Mullett, Kaden Skaggs and Kaley Skaggs.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 3, 2016 at Markland-Yager Funeral Home in New Franklin.  Funeral services honoring Tom’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at Markland-Yager Funeral Home with Rev. Ken Stacey officiating.

Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in New Franklin.

Memorial contributions are suggested to New Franklin First Baptist Church.

Tributes may be shared with the family at www.marklandyager.com.

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