Thomas Daniel Cornwell

Thomas Daniel Cornwell, age 77, went to be with the Lord at Riverside Methodist Hospital on the evening of February 5, 2025. He was born in Marion, Ohio, to Myron Howard and Betty Lou Cornwell in 1947. Thomas was a man that was loyal, honest, and kind, being renowned for how fair he was. He married his wife, Connie Cornwell, in the Spring of 1967, and she was never shy about speaking of how caring, trustworthy, and devoted he was to his family. Thomas loved race cars, especially NASCAR. He was often found sitting in his lazy chair on Saturdays and Sundays during race season watching the races. He also loved motorcycles. He would ride his Honda Goldwing anywhere and everywhere he could. Not rain, nor sleet, nor snow could stop him from riding his motorcycle.  And, he never seemed to care that he was different from the rest of the pack (his family and friends). “Corny” was one of the only men allowed to ride a Goldwing in a pack of Harley Riders, and they all loved him just the same! Tom also loved football season. There was never an OSU Football game where he was not cheering along emphatically. And, let’s not forget those Browns. It didn’t seem to matter that they would lose. He still cheered them on for every game.  Those who know Tom and his work history, know that he was a part of a class action law suit, Whirlpool Corp. v. Marshall, 445 U.S. 1 (1980). This law suit helped provide employees the rights to refuse to work in unsafe work conditions. The law suit took over six years, and made it all the way to the Supreme Court. Tom’s name still appears in the law books to this day. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. 

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Betty Cornwell. 

He leaves behind his wife, Connie Cornwell, his sisters, Brenda Peters, Marcia Stapleton, Marla Sunkle, Jackie (Bruce) Clewell, his daughters, Tomie Schardine, Toni Cornwell-Fisher, his grandchildren, Alexis (Tyler Hines) Lindsay, Olivia (Kyle) DeJean, Wade Fisher, Kimber Schardine, his great grandchild, Waylon DeJean, and his special friend, Charles “Chuckie” (Lisa) Thomas.  

Calling hours will be held Monday, February 10, 2025, from 5 – 7 pm at the Boyd Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will take place Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 10:30 am.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, or to the Marion Palace Theater. 

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