Thomas "Tom" C. Chilvers

NORFOLK – Memorial service for Thomas C. “Tom” Chilvers, 99, of Pierce, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at the United Church of Christ in Pierce. Rev. Gordon Braun will be officiating the service. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Prospect View Cemetery, rural Pierce. Visitation will begin 1 hour prior to the service on Tuesday also at the church. Military rites will be conducted by the Tomek-Otto Post 72 American Legion of Pierce and the United States Army Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Pierce Senior Center or Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk. Tom passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at The Heritage at Fountain Point in Norfolk. Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce is in charge of the arrangements. Tom was born on September 5, 1925 to Charles H. and Genevieve (Bechter) Chilvers at their residence on west Main Street in Pierce. He attended grade school at Pierce Public School and graduated from Pierce High School in the Spring of 1943. Tom enlisted in the United States Army in August of 1943, and was schooled in the ASTP program at KU. The class was transferred to Georgia for infantry basic training. His infantry division served in Europe and was later transferred to the Philippines as the war was ending in Japan. Tom served in the United States Army from November 13, 1943 until his honorably discharge on April 20, 1946. Tom was baptized and confirmed at the Pierce Congregational Church (now United Church of Christ) and continued a life long membership, serving in many positions in the church. In the fall of 1946, Tom enrolled at the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, graduating with a Bachelors degree in January of 1950. He was a member of the Farm House Fraternity. Tom met his future wife, Charlene Eggert, at UNL and they were married on June 18th, 1950 in Ainsworth, Nebraska. Tom and Charlene farmed northwest of Pierce until 1966 at which time he began working as an Agricultural Loan Officer at Cones State Bank (now Midwest Bank) in Pierce. In the winter of 1985, they started wintering in the South, primarily in Arizona. He was active in church, school, and agricultural interests. Tom served 9 years on the local school board during the time of consolidation and the building of the new elementary school. He also served on the SCS and Extension boards encouraging new farming practices. Singing was a passion for Tom, starting in the army and continuing through his fraternity barbershop quartet, church choir and community choruses. Tom is survived by his wife Charlene Chilvers of Norfolk, daughter Marilyn Chilvers of Omaha, son Steven and wife Deborah Chilvers of Pierce, grandson John and wife Kimberly Chilvers of Omaha and their children Cale, Lanny, and Sofie, grandson Micah Chilvers of Pierce, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Genevieve Chilvers, brothers William and Robert, 2 brothers-in-law, and 1 sister-in-law. The family is thankful for the caring and professional staff at Fountain Point and the residents who became Tom and Charlene's friends, and the staff and care from St. Croix Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Thomas "Tom" C. Chilvers

September 5, 1925 - February 18, 2025