Earl J. "Tommy" Hosey, age 80, of Eldon, died Sunday, November 23, 2008, at Capital Region Medical Center. He was born in Eldon on September 17, 1928, a son of the late Samuel Earl and Elsie Mae (Peterson) Hosey. On December 13, 1968, in Miami, Oklahoma, he was married to Mary Gatton, who survives at the home.

Earl was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed playing bingo, gardening, fishing, boating and spending time with his family and friends.

Others who survive him include: two sons, Brian Hosey of Topeka, Kansas and Steve Hosey of Kansas City, Missouri; one granddaughter, the apple of his eye, Kirsten Hosey of Topeka, Kansas and two sisters, Elsie Allee of Sedalia and Virginia Wyrick of Eldon.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon. Rev. Jay Quinn will officiate. Interment with military honors under the direction of the Miller County VFW Post 2442 will be in Eldon City Cemetery.

God saw he was getting tired, a cure was not meant to be. So He put His arms around him and whispered, "Come with me." With tearful eyes we watched him and saw him fade away. Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.