Thomas R. Wilson

Tom was born January 22, 1944, in Carlinville, the son of John and Myrtle (Hayse) Wilson. He married Roberta Diane Bartlett on July 22, 1966, in Springfield.

Tom attended Pleasant Plains High School, then proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Tom and Diane moved to New Berlin in 1971 and he worked as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 36 years. He was a past member of New Berlin Baptist Church, a board member for the New Berlin Community School District, a member of the New Berlin Jaycees and the New Berlin American Legion. Tom was a firefighter for the New Berlin Island Grove Fire Department for 37 years and the Fire Chief for 27 of those years. He was voted the American Red Cross Heartland Hero for Public Safety in 2015. Tom loved food, farming, and fishing, and above all, he loved his family. He especially loved spending time with his grandsons.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Diane; his parents; infant sister, Elsie Mae; brothers, Bill, Don, and Bob; sisters-in-law, Marty and Marilyn; 2 half-brothers; and 2 half-sisters.

He is survived by his daughters, Crystal (Brad) Lubrant of Naperville, and Dawn Wilson of New Berlin; grandsons, Jonathon and Jacob Lubrant of Naperville, and Wyatt and Dillon Wilson of New Berlin; sister, Velma (Don) Claypool of New Berlin; brother, Albert (Frances) Wilson of Williamsville; sister-in-law, Theresa Wilson of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Butler Funeral Home – New Berlin, 714 E. Gibson St., New Berlin.

Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Butler Funeral Home – New Berlin, with Rev. Warren Brosi officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Berlin Island Grove Fire Department, P.O. Box 224, New Berlin, IL 62670.