Thomas M. Bednarik

Thomas M. Bednarik, 69, of Winter Haven, Florida, formerly of Morris, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Born April 28, 1953 in Morris, he was the son of Dolton and Margaret (Curry) Bednarik. He graduated from Morris Community High School with the class of 1971. Tom married Marsha Thompson on August 10, 1974 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morris. For most of their married life they lived in Morris until moving to Florida in 2017.
Tom was employed at the Morris Police Department for 27 years. He started as a full-time patrolman in October 1977. During his career, he worked as an investigator in the department in 1983, from 1990 to 1995, and from 1999 thru 2000. In June of 2000, he was promoted to sergeant. Tom was fluent in Spanish and was one of the department’s interpreters.
Tom took classes from Joliet Junior College, and Illinois State University, completed the Police Training Institute and is a certified firearm’s instructor.
His hobbies included making exotic handcrafted hunting knives and other types. He also cleaned and repaired guns.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marsha; his children, Tommy Bednarik of Lewisville, Texas and Katie (Danny) Purdy of Winter Haven, Florida; two twin grandchildren, Evie and Adalynn Purdy; two brothers, Ed (Socky) Bednarik of Arkansas and John (Sandy) Bednarik of Morris; one sister, Beth (Mike) Myers of Arizona; several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
Memorials can be sent to Down Syndrome Foundation of central Florida in honor of Evie, his granddaughter, or to the donor’s choice.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morris with Pastor Patrick Lohse and Pastor Steve Larson officiating. Interment will follow in Saratoga Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the church.
Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson St. in Morris is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call the funeral home at 815-942-0700 or sign the online guestbook at www.frulandfuneralhome.com .