The Superior Express -

Thomas Lee Harling, the son of Lewis and Irene (Nielsen) Harling, was born Jan. 12, 1939, at Friend. He died Monday, at the Heritage Care Center in Fairbury.

Tom was baptized on Oct. 4, 1939, by Pastor A.E. Bashford at the Congregational Church in Exter, Neb. Tom later became a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury.

Tom attended Fairmont Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1957. Tom was active in all sports, and his senior year he was named to the All Star, 8 Man Football team by both the Lincoln Journal and the Omaha World Herald. While Tom was in high school, he spent his summers in Hardy, working for his cousin, Kenny Jensby. Tom considered Hardy his second home and thought of the people there as immediate family. He made lifelong friends in Hardy.

On March 1, 1964, Tom was united in marriage to Eleanor Ritterbush at Centennial Lutheran Church in Superior, Neb. This marriage was blessed with the birth of two sons, Nick in 1965 and Michael in 1970.

Tom was employed at Superior Motor Parts in Superior from 1962 until 1970 at which time the family moved to Fairbury and Tom purchased Superior Motor Parts store there. In 1993, Tom sold the store and retired from the auto parts business.

Tom became a member of the Grace Lutheran Church on Dec. 3, 2014. He was a past member of the Jaycees, Rotary Club, Bomber Booster Club and Fairbury High School Booster Club. He belonged to the Fairbury Elks Lodge for more than 50 years,

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kathy Harling-Jones; parents-in-law, Milo and Edna Ritterbush Way; and brothers-in-law, James and Harold Ritterbush.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Harling of Fairbury; sons: Nick and Laurel Harling of Sabetha, Kan.; Michael and Tracy Harling of Hastings; grandchildren: Trevor and Kala Harling; and Dr. Mitchell Harling; Thomas Harling and Scott Harling; and one great-grandson, Kellen; sister, Mrs. Tom McConaughey (Bette) of Ocala, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Rick Reitz (Carol) of Lincoln, Neb.; Mrs. Michael Combs (Sharon) of Superior; and Mrs. Larry Stephens (Jan) of Omaha.

Services are pending at this time. Williams Funeral Home, Superior, is in charge of arrangements.