Thomas D. Tom Shrewsbury

Tom was born in Springfield on March 20, 1930, the son of David Henderson Shrewsbury and Velma Lawrence Shrewsbury. He graduated from Blessed Sacrament School and Riverside Military Academy.

After school, he spent several years in the professional theatre where he worked with such celebrities as Vincent Price, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and others. Returning to Springfield, he served a term as president of the Springfield Theatre Guild and appeared in many shows including lead roles in Harvey and Mr. Roberts.

He was later recruited to serve as the United States Director of Rehabilitation in New York City where he held Consultant Status with the United Nations.

At the request of the World Health Organization, he successfully directed a program to combat a massive polio epidemic in the Dominican Republic resulting in all school age children receiving the polio vaccine. He also served as White House liaison for a special program for Mrs. Nixon as well as serving on the executive planning committee of the president's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped.

Back in Springfield, he was responsible for reorganizing The Springfield Muni Opera in 1964.

He is survived by his wife of 52 year, Ada Lynn, two children, son Christopher B. Shrewsbury (Kim) and daughter Andrea Jill Bishofberger (Kip, Los Alamos, New Mexico) and three grandchildren, Haley Bishofberger, Devin and Samantha Shrewsbury.

A prayer vigil service will be held at 4:00 p.m. with visitation to follow until the time of the rosary at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 at Christ the King Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17 at the Church. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Please no flowers: In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Joseph's Home, 3306 South 6th St. Rd., Springfield, IL 62703, Covenant Network, 4424 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109 or The Springfield Muni, 815 East Lake Dr., Springfield, IL 62712.

Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel is serving the family.