Tom Knisley

Tom Knisley, 79, formerly of Rockwell City passed away peacefully at his home in Lafayette, IN on December 24, 2025.

A memorial service will be 2:00 PM Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Spirit of Hope Church, Rockwell City. A burial will be at 4:00 PM in Rosehill Cemetery, Rockwell City. A visitation will begin at 1:00 PM at the church.

Tom was born in Rockwell City to Merlin and Lucille Knisley on November 2, 1946. He graduated from Rockwell City High School with the class of 1964. Tom met his beautiful wife, Beatrice "Bea" at the Singles in Agriculture Dance and Ostrich farm tour in 1991. They were married the following year on June 20, 1992. The family grew to include four children, their spouses, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Tom worked at Webb's in Rockwell City delivering feed and raising chickens for a number of decades. Tom and Bea raised hogs adding a finishing unit and nursery to the family farm under their company name TomBea, Inc. He also served on the Rockwell City Police Department and owned his own automotive gas and service station. Tom and Bea enjoyed gardening and canned their produce every year. This practice continued as they moved to Indiana in 2019. Tom began cooking in 2015 when the couple sold TomBea, Inc. He was a self-taught chef that made delicious meals with special sauces and flavors.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 33 years Bea of Lafayette, IN; son Dean Davis of Fort Lauderdale, FL; daughter Tamera (Kevin) Bowditch of Lafayette; daughter Amber Hurst of Cincinnati; and son Michael Davis of Grandville, OH; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister Nancy Klaassen of West Des Moines; niece Janelle (Shawn) Kopriva of Winter Park, FL; nephew Brent (Nichole) Klaassen of Waukee; and niece Stephanie (John) Mueller of West Des Moines.

He was preceded in death by his parents Merlin and Lucille (Fouts) Knisley.

Memorials may be left to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital- 501 St. Jude Place- Memphis, TN 38105-9959.