Thomas Joseph Sheffield

Thomas Joseph Sheffield, 87, of Rock Valley, Iowa, formerly of Boyden, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2026. A Memorial Service will be held at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley, with Pastor Brian Schafer of the United Presbyterian Church in Boyden officiating, on Wednesday, July 22, at 7:00PM. A time of visitation with the family will follow. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Tom was born to John and Regina (Schumpp) Sheffield on November 4, 1938, in Clarion, Iowa. Tom graduated from Clarion High School, and in 1955, he married Phyllis White, also from Clarion. Tom and Phyllis had six children together: Susan, Elizabeth, John, David, Joey, and Rebecca. They lived on a farm by Belmond, Iowa, where Tom worked as a hired man for a farmer. In 1962, Tom moved his family to Vinton, Iowa, and began working as a manager at Allied Chemical. In 1965, Tom and Phyllis moved to Paullina, Iowa, where Tom went to work for another chemical company. In 1967, Tom met Rob Dethmers at a farm progress show, and Rob offered him a job as salesman at Dethmers Manufacturing in Boyden, Iowa, now known as DEMCO. Tom and Phyllis moved their family to Sheldon, Iowa.

On August 16, 1969, Tom married Judy Poolman. Judy had 3 boys to add to the family: Danny, David, and Richard. Needless to say, there wasn’t much of a front yard at their home in Boyden, as it was always being used as a football field or baseball diamond, or anything else all the kids could dream up. Tom and Judy enjoyed following their children’s school events, and later on, grandchildren’s events.

Tom worked for DEMCO for 35 years and retired as part owner. Tom and Judy enjoyed many cruises and trips to islands, especially during their retirement years, giving Tom the opportunity to scuba dive while Judy relaxed on the beach with a good book. Tom and Judy were active members of United Presbyterian Church in Boyden, enjoying their church family and singing in the choir. After Judy’s passing in 2014, Tom eventually moved to RiverView Ridge Assisted Living in Rock Valley, Iowa, to be closer to his son, David. In the spring of 2023, Tom moved to Whispering Heights in Rock Valley.

Those left to cherish the memories are Susan (Gary) Sheets and Elizabeth Simental, all of Goldfield, Iowa; John (Alesia) Sheffield of Moxee, Washington; David (Pam) Sheffield of Rock Valley, Iowa; Rebecca Hudson of Goldfield, Iowa; Danny Poolman of Kansas City, Missouri; David (Tina) Poolman of Ventura, California; and Richard Poolman of Chino, California; 12 grandchildren and their families; a brother, Ed (Mary Parker) Sheffield of Madison, Wisconsin; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Sheffield, of Lake City, Iowa.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy; a son, Joey; a brother, Henry; a grandson, Levi Sheets; a great grandson, Jackson Poolman; and a great grandson, Cash Sheffield.