Thomas A. Ackles

Hastings resident Thomas A. “Gus” Ackles, 78, passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family and friends.

Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26, at Grace United Methodist Church in Hastings with Rev. Benjamin Hanne officiating. A private family burial with military rites by Hastings Military Honor Guard will be held at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with the family present Friday, July 25, at Butler Volland Funeral Home. Memorials to the family will be divided amongst the Southern Hills Junior Golf Program, Hastings Public Schools Foundation, and Adams Central School Foundation. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Tom’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Tom was born on April 26, 1947, in Hastings, NE to Robert (Bob) and Robbie (Hassle) Ackles. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1965 and Central Community College. Tom married Linda Pavelka on February 21, 1970, in Hastings, NE. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1967-1970 and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was especially proud of his service aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Constellation, where he made many friendships through shared adventures.

Tom built a 42-year career at Great Plains Packaging/Paperworks Manufacturing in Hastings where he began as a fork-lift driver in 1971 and retired as a plant supervisor in 2013. He was active in his children and grandchildren’s lives and in the community through coaching YMCA sports, his involvement in American Legion Baseball, and as a Hastings High School and Adams Central “Super Fan.” Tom was an avid golfer and served on the Board of Directors for Southern Hills Country Club. He was a member of the Hastings Elks Lodge, the Hastings Noon Kiwanis Club, and the Hastings College Crimson Connection. Following his retirement, Tom especially enjoyed traveling, golfing, and spending time with his tight-knit group of life-long friends. He often said how blessed he felt to have such wonderful friends and family.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Bonnie (Martin) Pavelka; and father-in law, Francis (Frank) C. Pavelka. 

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
    Linda (Pavelka) Ackles - Hastings, NE
Son & Wife:
    Jason & Nicole (Skrdla) Ackles - Hastings, NE
Daughter & Husband:
    Amber & James Schultz - Hastings, NE
Grandchildren:
    Mikayla (Schultz) & Cruz Duarte - Hastings, NE
    Shane Schultz - Grand Island, NE
    Caleb & Lexi (Brodrick) Ackles - Hastings, NE
    Devon Ackles - Hastings, NE
    Addison Ackles - Hastings, NE
Brother & Sister-in-law:
    Bill & Jann (Daniels) Ackles - Omaha, NE
Sister & Brother-in-law:
    Joan & Tony Colon - Hastings, NE
Sisters-in-law & Spouses:
    Mary & Curt Johnson - Hastings, NE
    Dianne Pavelka - Hastings, NE
    Barb Meyer - Hastings, NE
    Chris & Mike Clark - Hastings, NE
Brother-in-law & Spouse:
    Chuck & Sue Pavelka - Kenesaw, NE
Numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family, and many friends