Thomas LeRoy Lovell

CREVE COEUR ~ Thomas LeRoy Lovell, 87, of Muncie, Indiana, formerly of Creve Coeur, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on the evening of Monday, February 12, 2024, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

He was born on July 14, 1936, in Peoria, Illinois, a son of the late Thomas William and Alice Elvira (Lannholm) Lovell.

Tom attended Manual High School in Peoria and married the love of his life, Evelyn Bales, on June 3, 1955.

Those left to cherish Tom’s memory include his wife of 68 years, Evelyn Lovell; a daughter, Linda (Gary) Hopkins of Muncie, Indiana; a daughter-in-law, Elaine Lovell of Corydon, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Lynnette (Scott) Williams of Kokomo, Indiana, Jason (Michelle) Hopkins of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jonathan (Corina) Hopkins of Farmland, Indiana, Jeremy (Esther) Hopkins of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Steve Lovell of Muncie, Indiana and Mark (Amanda) Lovell of Rockford, Illinois; a grandson-in-law, Philip Gray; 24 great-grandchildren; a sister, Sharon Kelly of Peoria, Illinois; two brothers, Gary (Edie) Lovell of Peoria, Illinois, and William (Bonnie) Lovell of Creve Coeur, Illinois and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by a son, Steven Lovell; a daughter-in-law, Ellen Lovell; a granddaughter, Crystal Gray; two sisters, Mary Kelly and Diana Lovell and two sisters in infancy.

He had worked as a welder for Caterpillar, Inc. for over 28 years. He loved woodworking and building furniture and had built something special for each of his grandchildren. Tom also loved to play the harmonica in church and for area revivals. He attended church as a “bus kid” and had attended Bellevue Church of God Holiness since 1969, where he served as treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, and trustee for many years.

Tom was a people person who never knew a stranger. He would do anything for anyone and would help wherever needed. He had a big heart, especially for those most in need. Most of all, Tom loved his family and, in addition to his children and grandchildren, was always close to his brothers and sisters.

His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday, February 19, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur. Pastor Gary Hopkins will officiate. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Smithville Cemetery in Hanna City.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com