Obituary of Tim Moening

July 9, 1954 – December 24, 2018.   

Tim Moening.  Age 64 of Trenton.

Loving husband of Margaret “Penni” Tomorsky  Moening.  Beloved stepfather of Michael A. (Kathy) Valliere.  Dear brother of Daniel (Cheryl) Moening, Mitchell (Carol) Moening, Christopher (Julie) Moening, Mark (Joanne) Moening, and the late William Moening.  Brother in law of Susan Prieto.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

In leiu of flowers, memorial donations appreciated to the Juvenile Diabeties Research Fund. 

Family Tribute

Timothy Jay Moening was born in Wyandotte General Hospital on July 9, 1954 to Clifford H. and Ruth (Gran) Moening.  He was the second of six boys to be born to this couple.

He grew up in tough North Trenton (TNT) between the quarry and the railroad tracks. Talk about places for boys to play!!  With six kids in tow, the best trips were to visit family in the U.P. and lots of camping in the MI state parks.  His parents were avid baseball fans so that meant Tiger Stadium 'at the corner' saw them often.  As younger brothers grew, shooting baskets became a family affair in the backyard.  Tim graduated from Riverview H.S. in 1972.

After working a stint at McDonald's, he found employment at DT&I Railroad in Flat Rock, MI where he remained for nine and a half years until moving to Texas with a new bride and stepson.

Tim was married at Elizabeth Park in Trenton on September 26, 1981 to Margaret (Penni) Tomorsky Valliere.  Their son, Michael A Valliere, was barely six years old and what an amazing father he gained. 

Grand Prairie, Texas became their home for the next 32 years.  With Penni, they owned and operated Mr. Jim's Pizzeria in Grand Prairie and Annie's Book Stop in Arlington.  With Arlington abutting Grand Prairie, they were minutes from Arlington Stadium, and later, the Ballpark in Arlington and the TEXAS RANGERS!  Baseball tradition continues.

Besides baseball, Tim loved to shoot hoops in his own front yard.  Living across the street from the elementary school, you could find him playing with several boys before and after school each day.  He loved giving them tips and helping them learn the game.

Desiring more time than family-owned businesses allowed, he became a courier for a Dallas express delivery service.  Not too many years later he moved into the office as a dispatcher and spent 19 1/2 years in their employ.  He also worked on the 2010 Census as a Team Lead and found that to be very interesting work.

Tim really enjoyed the outdoors: camping in Texas and Arkansas, hiking in the Guadalupe and Ozark mountains, and day trips to nearby cities and parks to learn about our new state.  We laughed about camping in a city park with the St. Michael the Archangel Happy Campers after the city of Grand Prairie bought the park from the Army Corps of Engineers. He and Penni had wonderful times with the camping group and took several longer trips with a few close couples with whom they had bonded.

Tim loved games!  Euchre, cribbage, chess, cards in general and family board games.  Game days with friends and family were the best.  And he loved animals.  Several dogs, a cat, and as many birds, bunnies and squirrels as could be attracted to their yard brought hours upon hours of enjoyment.

Besides camping with the church group, Tim was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, a sponsor for RCIA, Eucharistic Minister and active participant in the bible study group for over 15 years.

Tim was loving, kind, patient, allowed his wife to think she was in control, and an excellent father figure for Michael. His manner was quiet; he liked to watch what was happening around him but that didn't mean he couldn't be just a tad sarcastic at times.  Such a great sense of humor.

After 37 years of marriage and a short but intense battle with cancer, he died on Christmas Eve, 2018.  Surrounded by local family and friends, he left quietly to waken in Heaven on Christmas Day in the midst of his parents, in-laws, brother Bill, sister-in-law Linda and numerous other family and friends.  What Joy that must have been!  He will not be forgotten but certainly will be missed.