L. Thomas Somers' Obituary
L. Thomas "Tom" Somers, loving husband, father, and brother died Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 3:20 PM at Decatur Memorial Hospital Extended Care Unit.
Visitation will be at 4 PM to 7 PM on Friday, March 17th at the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe Street Decatur, IL with a prayer service beginning at 3:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be Saturday, March 18th at 10:30 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 3850 Lourdes Drive Decatur, IL, AM with Rev. Richard Weltin officiating following a visitation at the church from 9:30 AM until the service time. Burial will take place in St. Rose Cemetery, Strawn Illinois at 2 PM Saturday, March 18, 2006. Moran & Goebel Funeral Home are in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., Miami, FL www.parkinson.org, or Our Lady of Lourdes Building Fund or Education Fund.
Tom was born June 1, 1923, in Strawn, IL to Peter and Agnes Koerner Somers. Tom married Theresa Terri Kuntz on Sept. 7, 1946, in Strawn, IL.
Tom served in WWII with the Air Corp from 1942 - 1945, including the Battle of Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. After WWII, Tom attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL and graduated from Caterpillar Business Training Program serving in several steps of management to Purchasing Manager until his retirement in 1983 after 37 years with Caterpillar.
Tom is survived by his wife of 59 years, 5 Sons; Mark & CherylVemmer, Decatur, IL, Matthew, Davenport, IA, David & DeniseDowler, Decatur, IL, Barry & JanetKozicki, Woodridge, IL, Brian, Washington, IL, Daughter-in-Law, JeanyLeimbacher Somers, Wausau, WI, 19 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews, 3 sisters, Maxine Somers Knauer Rieger, Forrest, IL, Inez M. Somers Bowen, Bourbonais, IL and Agnes K. Somers Fleischauer, Herscher, IL.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, one son Dennis, in 2000, daughter-in-law, PhyllisChevron Somers in 1982 and 6 brothers Ray, Paul, Arthur, Elmer, James, and Frank.
Tom was past president of NOMA National Office Management Association. Past president of Catholic Charities, board member of Cancer Society, past member of Jesuit White House Retreat, Golden Kiwanis and a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, BPOE401, American Legion Post 105. Tom was a charter member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the 6th floor of the Decatur Memorial Hospital Extended Care Unit for their outstanding loving care of Tom and to Dr. Fritz and staff for their healing efforts.
Tom was an avid sports fan especially for golf and the Chicago Cubs. His specialty was being a bleacher coach as his 6 sons participated in school athletics.
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