Thomas Francis Edward Meler, age 74, of Flemington, MO, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2026 in his sleep at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, MO.

Tom was born November 30th, 1951 in Cleveland, OH and was the first of eight children of Aloysius and Irene (Kubicki) Meler. His life was shaped by his passion to explore nature, particularly the Rocky Mountains; his faith and relationship with Christ through music ministry; his career as a nurse; and the memories made spent in these pursuits with his family.  

Tom began his life in Ohio and is an alumnus of St. John Nepomucene grade school and St. Ignatius High School. He later graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and his nursing degree from KU Med.  He married Valerie Jean (Suhm) Meler on June 5, 1976 and together they traveled through the journey of life through Ohio, Colorado, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. 

The importance of a spiritual relationship with Christ and finding His beauty through the majesty of nature was a lesson instilled in their children through lifelong camping and hiking excursions. Music ministry, accomplished through continued involvement in church services, retreats, and youth outreach programs, kept music in the forefront of their lives.  Tom retired from nursing at Children’s Mercy Hospital in 2022 and was happy to spend more of his time pursuing his interests, which included kayaking, playing frisbee golf, traveling with his family, playing music, and building legos.  

Tom will be deeply missed by all of his dear family and friends.  His love for a simple glass of sweet iced tea with lemon will be remembered as well as his taste for rye bread with caraway seeds, a thick slice of sharp cheddar cheese, all topped with crispy bacon or paired with kielbasa.  

Tom is survived by his wife Valerie (50 years); sons Jason (Kara), Zachary (Heather), Joshua (Rachel), and Jesse; grandchildren Elsa, Claire, Graylon, Allison, Megan, Natalie, Kacey, and Elijah; siblings Paul (Mary), Peter (Kathy), Margaret Komar (Don), Rosemary Yaecker (Chris), Andrew (Patti), Matthew (Carrie), and James (Krista).  

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 25th, 2026 at 9:30 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 610 S 4th St, Clinton, MO, where family and friends can join together to remember Thomas.  In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions be made to Holy Rosary School or the Sierra Club.