Thomas Lee Bunch

Born September 5, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio to Arthur and Mary Ellen (Young) Bunch; he married Barbara Caputo on August 31, 1968 in Parma, Ohio. She survives of Bloomington.

Also surviving are his children, Marylee Allen of Bloomington and Joseph (Buffy) Bunch of Cleveland, Tennessee; and grandchildren, Olivia Allen and Isabella Bunch.

Preceding in death were his parents; son, John Blaise Bunch; and brother, Dennis Bunch.

Tom’s working career spanned for 40 years in the Newspaper Industry, specifically Circulation. In early years, he had supervisory roles for districts in sales, carrier recruitment and sales contests. Ultimately, he became Circulation Director. Tom began delivering newspapers with his older brother, Denny as young as 6 years old. He loved early mornings and the idea of bringing news about one’s town to his neighborhood.

After returning to Cleveland, OH following his Honorable Discharge from the NAVY, E4 Rank, he landed his first newspaper managerial role with the Sun Newspapers. He gained vast experience creating innovative sales programs tied in with record breaking carrier recruitment over a span of 19 years. During this time he worked on task teams converging from manual systems to computer technology. In 1986, Tom landed the role of Circulation Director for the NewsTribune in LaSalle, IL for 8 years thru 1994. At this time, he began winning awards in Industry organizations like CSCMA and CMI for sales and service promotions. Later in 1994 thru 1998, Thomas became the Circulation Manager for the Record Eagle in Traverse City, MI. Here he successfully managed the conversion from a PM newspaper distribution to an AM morning distribution, while expanding circulation from 5 counties to 13 counties. In late 1998, and for the next decade, Tom returned to Illinois to work for The Pantagraph Newspaper as Home Delivery Manager with heavy concentration on improving the home delivery system with adult carriers and stabilizing pick-up times to meet delivery deadlines. His final position for the last few years, ending in 2013 was with Ottawa Delivered as Circulation Director and garnishing him with the CSCMA Circulation Executive of the Year Award in 2011.

Tom felt one of his strongest assets was his ability to “stay the course” and remain focused on a goal, regardless of the variables. A strong leadership skill he attained from back in his military training days that carried throughout his entire life. Professionally, he served as an Officer on the Board of CSCMA and a past President of the Illinois Sunrise Rotary Club in Peru, IL.

Tom was a graduate of St. Edward High School; an all-male Catholic High School in Lakewood, OH. Upon his return from the Navy, he attended the Automation Institute in Cleveland, OH.

His hobbies included home landscaping, planting flowers, motorcycles, walking his pet dogs and DIY home projects.

Throughout his last 4 years while battling a combined diagnosis of Atypical Alzheimer’s causing Primary Progressive Aphasia, Tom showed such tenacity and stoic perseverance always wanting to be able to maintain communication with those he loved. His last speech therapist described him as such a “kind and funny individual” and “appreciated his willingness to try new things.” Friends and co-workers would agree that Tom lived his life full of excitement with love for his family and love for everyone.

Memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at East Lawn Funeral Home, 1102 Airport Road in Bloomington.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, January 3, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Merna, 1001 North Towanda Road in Bloomington with Fr. Dustin Schultz officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter in Pekin, IL at tapsshelter.org, the Humane Society of Central Illinois in Bloomington at hscipets.org or the Northwestern School of Medicine at Northwestern.edu.

Condolences and memories may be shared through EastLawnMemorial.com