Thomas R. Maxwell, 84, Iola, died Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Iola Nursing Center.

Tom was born Dec. 8, 1927, at Oakmont, Pa., the son of John V. and Edith Mattner Maxwell. He grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from high school in 1945 at Aspinwall. Tom served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Muskingum University in Ohio, where he met his future wife, Joann Hostetler. Tom received his Master’s in Animal Science from Kansas State University.

On Dec. 28, 1953, Tom and Joann were married at Smithville, Ohio. They moved to Iola in 1954. Tom worked for the Kansas Cooperative Extension Service of Kansas State University. He served 38 years as a county agent in Allen County.

He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Joann Maxwell, of the home; four children, Ann McLean, Iola, Tom Maxwell, Salina, Linda Laughlin, Eden Prairie, Minn., and Eric J. Maxwell, Iola; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law and grandsons, Lisa, Joel and Avery Maxwell.

Visitation is 6 to 8 this evening, April 6, at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola.

Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Iola.

Memorials are suggested to Wesley United Methodist Church and may be left with the funeral home.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com