Thomas Allen “Tom” Maier, 61 of Russell was called home to be with his father in Heaven on February 5, 2011 after a long battle with cancer at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Tom was born July 1, 1949 in Russell, Kansas the son of Ruben and Doris (Keil).  His family moved to Gove, Kansas when he was four years old.  He lived there until he was united in marriage to Donna Jones on November 29, 1970.  This union was blessed with four children; Tami, David, Chad and Melissa.  They made their home in Quinter, Kansas and then Oakley, Kansas.  In 1973 they moved to Natoma, Kansas for 10 years and then moved to Russell.

Tom, as most of his friends called him, started working in the oil fields in 1974.  From there he went into partnership with Gene Reinhardt and then with Roy VonFeldt.  He then went on to establish his own company of Maier Well Service, Inc.  He took great pride in his business and his work, always doing his best.  He was well known for his BBQing out on his jobsite.  He sold his rig in 2007 and then went on to planting his yard with plenty of trees, flowers and gardens.

Surviving family include his wife of 40 years, Donna of the home; two daughters, Tami Coleman and husband Darin of Russell, Kansas and Melissa Conley and husband Cory of Hays, Kansas; two sons, David Maier and wife Rhiannon and Chad Maier and wife Tina all of Hays, Kansas; mother, Doris Maier on Natoma, Kansas; two brothers, Steven Maier of Brownell, Kansas and Martin Maier of Natoma, Kansas; sister, Janna Belau; eight grandchildren, Brittany and Shelby Coleman, Delaney, Preston and Dalton Maier, Kaelin and Dakota Maier and Abbigail Conley; and his many furry and feathered friends.  He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers, Michael “Mikey” and John.

Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held at 1 PM Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the Messiah Lutheran Church of Hays, Kansas.  Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell, Kansas.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  Memorials have been established with the American Cancer Society and Messiah Lutheran Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.