Thomas J. Stapleton

Thomas J. Stapleton, 84, of Springfield, died at 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at St. John's Hospice. Tom was born February 21, 1932 in New Berlin, the son of Edward P. and Stella Hanrahan Stapleton. He married Patricia Coggan on February 17, 1953 at St. Agnes Church in Springfield. Tom graduated from Routt High School in Jacksonville and proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was employed as an Operating Engineer with the State of Illinois for 35 years. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Operating Engineers Union, and AARP. Tom also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and served as a Manager and Coach for many years for Little League and Khoury League. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William E. and E. Patrick Stapleton; and sisters, Stella Pistorius and Norma Jean Fairweather. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Stapleton of Springfield; sons, Thomas G. (wife, Kathi) Stapleton of Springfield and James (wife, Alice) Stapleton of Albuquerque, NM; daughters, Debra (husband, Roger) Fulton of Highland, Mickey (husband, Don) Daniels, Sharon (husband, Alan) Fowler, and Stella Stapleton, all of Springfield, Maureen (husband, Bryan) Crowe of Crystal Lake, Patricia (husband, Kurt) Knowski of Port Washington, WI, and Karen (husband, Charles) Maloney of Park Ridge; twenty grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Charles R. (wife, Donna) Stapleton of Springfield; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2016 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield with Rev. Scott Thelander, SJC, and Rev. Philip Kraft, concelebrants. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Routt Catholic High School, 500 E. College Ave., Jacksonville, IL 62650 or St. John's Hospice, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62769.