Thomas Walsh

Thomas T. Walsh

Chairman of the Board, Campus State Bank

Age 84 of Campus, passed away Friday December 25, 2009 at his home surrounded by his children.

Born May 2, 1925 in Pontiac, Thomas was a son of the late Francis T. and Winifred M. Ahern-Walsh. He was a graduate of Reddick High School with the Class of 1943 and continued his education at DePauw University in Green Castle, Indiana. Tom was a veteran of the United States Navy, and during that time became a regional boxing champion. In the late 1940's while living in the Bakersfield, California area, Tom owned and operated a restaurant for several years and upon moving back to the Midwest established employment with Ford Motor Company at the Janesville, Wisconsin Assembly Plant. On June 1, 1953 Tom married Joan V. O'Brien in St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dwight. Joan preceded him in death in 2002. Between the decade of 1955 and 1965, Tom work for Phillips Petroleum, as well as owned and operated Walsh Oil Company. In 1965, Tom joined the Campus State Bank which was established by his grandfather in 1899. He became President of the bank and served as Chairman of the Board to the present time. During his tenure, he successfully grew the banks assets ten fold. Tom was also a real estate and insurance broker, owning and operating Tom T. Walsh Insurance and Walsh Real Estate. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Campus, where he served as an usher and taught CCD for many years. He was a member of the Lions Club, served as Treasurer for the Reddick School Board, served on the Campus Village Board, belonged to the Campus Community Club and was a former Campus Volunteer fireman. He enjoyed traveling, bowling, playing and winning at poker and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He also found many innovative and unconventional uses for duct tape. Tom was devoted to his faith and his family, and enjoyed all the time spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. Anyone who met Tom walked away knowing what a good, honest and hardworking person he was. He was an individual of great integrity, a quality that he instilled into his family. His word was his bond, believing that you should never breach someone's confidence. Tom was a generous man leading by example to love your family, your God and your church.

Survivors include six children: Peg (Eric) Patchett of Reddick, Thomas M. (Christina) Walsh of Campus, Barbara J. (David) Smith of Monticello, Illinois , Cindy (David) Mullen of Seekonk, Massachusetts , Joan C. (J.R.) Elling of Campus and John (Deborah) Walsh of Cabery. (24) Grandchildren: Jennifer (Jason) Bruner, Rachael (Richard) Law, Sara (Doug) Ruder, Evan (fiancAC.e' - Ashley Highland) Patchett, Ethan Patchett, Seth Patchett, Lauren Walsh, Thomas K. Walsh, Catherine Walsh, Ryan Walsh, Jordan Smith, Lucas Smith, Hannah Smith, Elijah Smith, Kia Smith, Kathryn Smith, Kaitlin Mullen, Michael Mullen, Brendan Mullen, Kevin Mullen, Lindsay Elling, Jacob Elling, Caroline Walsh and Chloe Walsh; (7) great grandchildren: Jacob Bruner, Anicah Bruner, Elise Bruner and Cole Bruner, Blake Patchett-Law, Caden Law and Charlie Ruder; one sister Marilyn (Sherwin "Butch) Desens of Larkspur, Colorado and special friend Wauneta Zeller of Reddick, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and wife Joan.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday December 29, 2009 from 9:00AM until time of funeral service 11:00AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 205 Elm Street in Campus, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Richard Kostelz officiating. A memorial luncheon will immediately follow the funeral Mass in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, and a private family interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Campus with Tom's sons and sons-in-law acting as pallbearers.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Tom's memory to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Hospice of Kankakee Valley.

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

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd., 203 Liberty Street in downtown Gardner . (815/237-2526)