Michael J. Tonini, 55, died peacefully at Taylor House surrounded by
family and friends on October 13, 2005 after a courageous battle with
prostate cancer. Michael attended St. Anthony's grade school, Dowling
High School, and graduated from Simpson College and the Dallas Institute
of Mortuary Science.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday at St.
Anthony Catholic Church. Visitation will be held 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, with a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. followed by a Scripture Wake
Service at Brooks Funeral Care Tonini Chapel.

Michael retired as president of Tonini Funeral Home and Des Moines
Limousine Service which he founded with his father. Mike often
chauffeured for the limousine company, and was fond of saying ""I have
driven everyone from the President of the United States to the farmer's
daughter."" Most recently he assisted Brooks Funeral Care in a
consultant capacity.

Michael was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, where he served on
the Parish council, and assisted as a past board member for the Board of
Education, the Society of Italian Americans, where he served as an
officer, Vittoria Lodge and Knights of Columbus. Mike was very active in
the Des Moines area and served the community on numerous boards,
commissions and projects.

Michael will be missed by his mother, Mary F. (Caligiuri) Tonini;
daughter, Gina (Tonini) Nelson; aunt, Sofia Tonini; step-daughter,
Michelle (Wolfe) Tigner; grandchildren, Alexis Kenney, Alayna Nelson,
Scott, Braden, and Kaylee Tigner, all of Des Moines. Michael is also
survived by his spiritual friend, Betsy Loffredo. He was preceded in
death by his father, Mando J. Tonini.

Memorial contributions are suggested to his church foundation, the
Italian American Cultural Center or Taylor House.

He always stood up for what he believed in no matter what!

All who loved him in life, let us honor him in death...