Thomas Ivan Chance, 83, of Ottumwa died at 7:06 p.m. May 13, 2026 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
He was born December 31, 1942 in Ottumwa to Ivan and Maxine Abernathy Chance. Tom married Michele Fligg and they later divorced. He married Mary Williams March 11, 1978 and she became a beloved stepmother to Jason and Lainie.
Tom graduated from Cardinal High School in 1961. He worked for Sutherland Lumber, Rock Island Railroad, and as a truck driver for Sunbeam Bread. Tom also worked as a salesman at Vaughn Automotive from where he retired.
He was a long-time member of Izaak Walton League. He loved nature and being outdoors. His hobbies included making keychains, knives, walking sticks, and canes usually adorned with antler shed handles that he made for friends and family. Tom was also extremely talented and meticulous in woodworking skills. He was known for making quality pieces of furniture, cabinets, coffee cup holders, and a lot of “unnecessary wood things to hang on the wall” as he would laughingly call them.
Surviving is his wife, Mary; his children, Jason (Deb) Chance of Albany, OR and Lainie Chance (Mark Greiner) of Fairfield; 2 grandchildren, Kara Chance and Cassidy (Tommy) Dorton; 2 great grandchildren Lettie Dorton and Baker Thomas Dorton; his brother, Richard (Sharon) Chance of Eldon; many special nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Nancy Manlove.
His body has been cremated. Graveside services and inurnment will be 1 p.m. Wednesday May 20th at Ottumwa Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Whatsoever You Do Inc.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
