Thomas R. Vaal, 78, of St. Meinrad, passed away on Sunday, October 10, 2021, surrounded by his family.
Tom was born in St. Meinrad to Linus and Irene (Loehlein) Vaal on March 15, 1943. He married the love of his life, Carol A. Waninger from Fulda on May 4, 1963 in St. Boniface Church. She preceded him in death on December 13, 2014.
For his entire life Tom was a farmer of animals and crops. He believed in hard work, and his life was proof of that. His pride and love for his family was profound. Tom loved to travel with the and he was an avid card player and bird watcher.
Tom was an agent and treasurer for St. Joseph’s Mutual Insurance. He served Spencer County as a member of the Spencer County Council. Tom was very active on the boards of CountryMark and Spencer County Co-op.
He was a member of St. Meinrad Parish. He loved performing in the church choir. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Sons of the American Legion.
He is survived by his children, David (Tricia) Vaal, Santa Claus; Brian (Pam) Vaal, St. Meinrad; Brenda (Michael) Smith, Haubstadt; and daughter-in-law Denis (Vaal) Stetter, Derby; by 10 grandchildren: Ryan (Abby) Vaal, Courtney (Burgess) Heberer, Aaron (Taryn) Smith, Adam (Stephanie) Smith, Jason (Haley) Vaal, Alex Smith, Garret Vaal, Gracelyn (Trent) Durham, Andrew Smith and Gavin Vaal; and one great-grandchild, Eleanor Heberer with another due in April. Other surviving family members include his eight siblings, Gene (Mary Lou) Vaal, Linda (Sam) Mehringer, Lou Ann (Francis) Lueken, John (Susie) Vaal, Janet (Larry) Dilger, Susan (Kevin) Brier, Mary (Ronnie) Roos and Tim (Angie) Vaal.
Besides his wife, Carol, Tom was preceded in death by one son, Glenn Vaal.
Funeral services will be held at St. Meinrad Catholic Church on Thursday, October 14 at 10 a.m. CDT. Friends may call at Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand from 2 to 8 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, October 13 and at St. Meinrad Church on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Memorials in Tom’s honor can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
