Passed away at home in Loda, Illinois, on March 3, 2021, at age 85.
Tom is survived by his three daughters Colleen (David) Nielsen, Carol Phelan, and Carla (Ken) Erdey. Four grandchildren Erika Nielsen, Trinity Phelan, Elaine Erdey, and Thomas Erdey. His sister Carol (Dale) Blum, a sister-in-law Frances Cheshareck and a brother-in-law Peter (Vikki) Vigna. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife Kathryn Phelan, his parents Milton and Dorothy Phelan, his sister Dorothy Phelan, two sisters-in-law Josephine Pleshe and Carole Vigna and three brothers-in-law Bill Pleshe, Tom Cheshareck, and Frank Vigna.
Tom was born in Rockford, Illinois, on December 10, 1935. He attended Joliet Central High School, class of 1954, where he was third baseman and captain of the Steelmen baseball team. Following graduation, Tom attended Purdue University, class of 1958, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the ROTC from 1954 to 1958. Tom went on to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1960. He earned a law degree from John Marshall Law School in 1967 and practiced law in Joliet, Illinois, for more than 50 years. Tom was a member of the Joliet Rotary Club, Joliet Elks Lodge, and Will County Bar Association.
Tom met Kathy on a blind date in Joliet for New Year's Eve 1962. They were engaged the following New Year's Eve and married on July 18, 1964. They were married 51 years before Kathy's passing in 2016. Together they raised three daughters who they proudly saw graduate from Big Ten universities.
A lifetime Chicago Cubs fan, Tom was thrilled when they finally won the World Series in 2016. He was an active athlete all his life and especially enjoyed softball, tennis, and bowling.
Funeral services will be held at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home & Crematory, 2320 Black Road, Monday, March 8th at 10:00 A.M. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials to VITAS Hospice, Chicago South will be appreciated. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 7th from 2:00 – 5:00 pm.
