Thomas Bennington, Sr

Thomas F. Bennington, Sr.

Age 70 of Morris and formerly Troy, passed away Friday evening January 02, 2009 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home in Joliet.

Born November 06, 1938 in Pontiac, Illinois, Tom was a son of the late Frank and Evelyn Whalen-Bennington. He was raised and educated in Odell and was a graduate of Saint Paul High School in Odell. On September 23, 1961 Tom married Linda Fosen and she preceded him in death on April 06, 2001. On October 25, 2002 Tom then married Mary Lou McGuan and she survives him.

Tom retired from Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet and Mexico after 40 years of service. During his rising career he began on the burr bench and was promoted to welding and later management training. Tom held various management positions in manufacturing and was also involved with plant set-up and operations in Mexico. Tom retired in 1995 as a factory manager and later recruited for Chemstress Engineering for another 5 years.

Tom was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, where he was a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Religious Education Teacher, as well as served on the Parish Counsel and the Religious Education Board. He was a director and past president of the Morris Country Club, member of the Morris Rotary, served on the board of Catholic Charities, and was very active in both Big Brothers and Big Sisters and United Way. Tom was also past president of District 54 Board of Education, volunteer coached with Morris Baseball and was a former volunteer fireman with Troy Fire Department. He was a retreat guide for the visually impaired and his other memberships included Three Rivers Manufacturing and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, as well as various other charities.

In his free time Tom truly enjoyed sports in general, especially golf, playing euchre, coaching, mentoring and his family.

Survivors include his wife Mary Lou; five children: Thomas, Jr. (Tracy) Bennington of Downers Grove, Sheri (Stephen) Patrone of Northville, Michigan, Conni (David) Halffield and Douglas (Ann) Bennington, both of Naperville and David (Kristi) Bennington of Morris; ten grandchildren: Carissa, Thomas III "Trey", Brandon, Claire, Dan, Sean, Kyle, Zach, Megan and Sarah; two stepsons: Jeff (Stacey) McGuan of Coal City and Shawn McGuan of Ottawa; two sisters: Gladys (Joseph) Alves of The Villages, Florida and Sharon (Paul) Belt of Marion, Kentucky and one brother Patrick (the late Mary Ann) Bennington of Shorewood, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and first wife Linda.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 516 East Jackson Street in Morris on Wednesday January 07, 2009 between the hours of 3:00PM and 8:00PM. Funeral services will follow on Thursday January 8th at 11:00AM in the Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Richard L. Smith officiating.

A private family interment will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Morris and pallbearers will be: Thomas F. Bennington, Jr., Douglas Bennington, David Bennington, Steve Patrone, Dave Halffield, Jeff McGuan, Shawn McGuan, Dave Reid and Pat Bennington.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Tom's memory to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund, 516 East Jackson Street, Morris, Illinois 60450, Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd., 408 East Washington Street in Morris. (815/942-2500)