Tom was born on May 26, 1948, in
Burlington to Raymond F. and Dorothy E. Moreland Walz. He was of the Catholic faith.
He married Pam West in 1982,and together, they raised their three girls, coached softball teams and worked security for Police Productions, an association that hired security crews for traveling musicians and bands.
Tom joined the Burlington Police Department on March 25, 1980, and
served his community as a police officer for over 30 years. After his
retirement, he remained with the City of Burlington as a courier until
earlier this year.
He was the definition of a volunteer. There was not a single
community event, parade, or neighborhood block party that you did not
see Tom either taking tickets, serving food and beverages, providing
color guard, driving cars, providing escorts, setting up and tearing
down stages, chairs and barricades or just simple enjoying his time with
his “family”, the public.
He is survived by his three daughters, Patty
Walz of Burlington, Amanda Walz-Orton of Burlington and Amy Schatterman of Coal Valley, Ill.; eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; siblings, Larry Walz of Burlington, Connie Yeutsy of Iowa City, Mark Walz of Flower Mound,
Texas; step-sister Susan Scott; and step-brother David Bloomberg.
A Catholic prayer service will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday,
Dec. 7 at Burlington Memorial Auditorium. Visitation with family
will follow until 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10:30
a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8 at Burlington Memorial Auditorium. The Rev.
Shane McCampbell will officiate. According to his wishes, cremation
will be accorded following the funeral services. Inurnment will be held
at a later date in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a toy be donated to
Toys for Tots, donations made to Gigi’s Playhouse Quad Cities or to the
Burlington Elks Lodge #84.
Services will be live streamed and will be viewable online via the
Lunning Chapel Facebook page and condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com.