Jim Norland Tone

Per Jim’s request, there will be no visitation or service. Cremation rites have been accorded by East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington.

To share condolences online, please visit www.eastlawnmemorial.com.

He was born on a farm on February 9, 1933 in Grinnell, IA, the son of David Burton Tone and Gladys Marie Clark. He met Arlene Leona Hill at a dance in Dysart, IA. They were married on September 4, 1954. She preceded him in death on December 6, 2023. He was also preceded in death by his son, Douglas Wade Tone, on January 15, 1993.

Surviving is daughter Sally (Ed) Pyne, of Normal; three grandchildren Kayley (Adam) Cichanski; Kelsey Pyne (Ian White) and Doug’s daughter, Samantha (Zachary) Brunson; four great-grandchildren, Emmelyn Cichanski and Jack, Claire and Lily Pyne.

In Iowa, Jim attended Cooper, Parker and Montezma Elementary Schools, Clarion Junior High, Story City High School and LaPorte City High School where he was class president and valedictorian graduating in 1950.

He attended Boys State. He graduated summa cum laude from Coe College in Iowa in 1954. From 1954-55 he attended medical school at the University of Iowa but was forced to drop out because of his rheumatoid arthritis rendering him unable to perform surgeries. From 1955-56 he attended the University of Iowa Dept. of Education to earn his teaching degree.

From 1956-58 he taught biology and chemistry at Urbandale (IA) High School. In 1959 he earned his M.A. Degree at Drake University. In 1963 he earned his PhD from Iowa State University, and in 1963 moved to Normal, IL and taught Physiology in the Biology Dept. at Illinois State University until his retirement in June of 1993.

In 1975 Jim and Arlene built a house in a wooded area near Lexington and lived there until 2021 before she moved to Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center and he moved to Blair House, both in Normal.

Jim was an avid collector of paintings by Iowa artist Grant Wood. He also read all of author John Grisham’s legal thrillers and James A. Michener’s historical novels, especially “Alaska, A Novel” which inspired Jim and Arlene to travel there with friends Jim and Lu Stone. He read the 868 page novel three times.

Jim Norland Tone was a man of great integrity and principle, and a loving husband, father and “Grandpa.” He left a life well-lived and will be missed by those who knew him. Godspeed Zeek!