Thomas W. Herrmann

Thomas W. Herrmann passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, in Arlington Heights at the age of 94. Born on July 17, 1931, he was the son of Wilbur and Catherine (née DeCourcey) Herrmann. Thomas was known for his kind-hearted nature and his dedication to family, faith, and education.

After completing college, Thomas served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he began his teaching career in Iowa before moving to Arlington Heights where he dedicated the next 35 years of his life teaching high school English in District 214. He also served as a coach for the Individual Events Speech Team and remained in touch with former students to his final days.

In his early days teaching at Arlington High, Thomas fell in love with his late wife, Patricia, who taught in the Math department. They went on to start a family, raising four daughters while living in Palatine, Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove, the communities they called home.

Thomas loved to garden and took great pride in his yard, which was featured in a garden walk one year, a testament to his love for nature and beauty. After retiring, he worked for a plant service taking care of plants in office complexes. He was an active member of the St. Mary's funeral choir, participated in garden club, and was involved with the Indian Trails Library and book groups. In 2022, Thomas had the opportunity to fly to Washington, D.C. with the Lake County Honor Flight in recognition of his service in the Army during the Korean War. He was able to tour many of the memorials honoring veterans while he was there. His contributions to the community and his unwavering kindness will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Thomas is survived by his daughters, Mary (Chuck) Fredericks, Patricia Anne Herrmann, and Joan Leon; his granddaughters, Amanda Leon (Ryan Kim) and Brianna Leon; his great grandchildren, Hazel and Irving Kim; his brother, Richard (Beverly) Herrmann; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia Herrmann (née Jensen); his siblings, Donald (Peg) Herrmann and Jerome Herrmann; and his daughter, Janet Herrmann.

Visitation will be at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL, on Sunday, January 4, 2026 from 2 pm to 6 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Monday, January 5, 2026, at St. Mary Parish, located at 10 N. Buffalo Grove Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in Palatine, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60607. Link: https://www.mercyhome.org/

Lake County Honor Flight, P.O. Box 1187, North Chicago, IL, 60064. Link: https://www.lakecountyhonorflight.org/

Search, Inc., 625 W. Slawin Ct, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Link: https://www.search-inc.org/