OBITUARY
Thomas Charles Fillinger
December 27, 1941 – February 10, 2021
Thomas Charles Fillinger fulfilled the work God planned for him from before creation and was called home to heaven by his Savior on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.
Tom served his Lord as a pastor and a pastor to pastors through the ministry he established, IgniteUS, Inc., in several states and countries around the world. He grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, the son of Howard John and Leora Marjorie Fillinger, and joined the U.S. Navy upon graduation from high school, proudly serving in the Cuban Missile Crisis. His Northern Ohio roots made him an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns, and a loyal Ohio State Buckeyes fan. His greatest passion was his Lord, Jesus Christ and he served him with an intensity and urgency that left no doubt for anyone who met him that his faith was genuine.
He was also passionate about the love of his life, Peggy Jean Coleman Fillinger. During 60 plus years of marriage, she was his constant companion and supporter. They were loving parents to three children: Roderick H. Fillinger (Cyndi), Dr. Eric B. Fillinger (Julie) and Dorinda Louise Fillinger Mitchell (Jeff). His grandchildren will miss hiking in Harbison Forest with him, having screaming contests in his car, and singing “Get Over It!” But he discipled them well to love the Lord and their families.
Rod and Cyndi’s family: Emily Claire Fillinger, Dr. Meghan Elise Fillinger (Dr. Andrew Durkee), Elisabeth Sara Fillinger, Abigail Joy Fillinger, Reagan Madeleine Fillinger, and Gabrielle Hannah Fillinger
Eric and Julie’s family: Nicholas Lee Fillinger, whom Tom joins in heaven; Andrew Thomas Fillinger
Dorinda and Jeff’s family: Bailey Danielle Mitchell Staal (Michael), Alexandra Valentine Mitchell, Jacob Luke Mitchell (Mariah), Samuel Justice Mitchell, Seth Reagan Mitchell
Tom’s sisters: Barbara Ann Fillinger Poloni (Marty), Gale Corrine Fillinger Duran (Chuck) and Carol Jean Fillinger Gueltig, whom he joins in heaven.
Tom’s family will receive friends at Moss Service Funeral Home in Cullman, AL on Friday, February 12, 2021, from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM. Tom’s funeral service will be Saturday, February 13, 2021, at 12:00 noon at the 1st Baptist Church of Cullman. Burial will follow in Cullman City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia Foundation.
Please visit mossservicefh.com to leave condolences for the family. Moss Service Funeral Home Directing.
FAMILY
- Peggy Jean Coleman Fillinger, Wife
- Roderick H. Fillinger (Cyndi), Son
- Dr. Eric B. Fillinger (Julie), Son
- Dorinda Louise Fillinger Mitchell (Jeff), Daughter
- Emily Claire Fillinger, Dr. Megham Elise Fillinger (Dr. Andrew Durkee), Elisabeth Sara Fillinger, Abigail Joy Fillinger, Reagan Madeleine Fillinger and Gabrielle Hannah Fillinger (Rod and Cyndi's family), Grandchildren
- Andrew Thomas Fillinger (Eric and Julie's family), Grandchild
- Bailey Danielle Mitchell Staal (Michael), Alexandra Valentine Mitchell, Jacob Luke Mitchell (Mariah), Samuel Justice Mitchell and Seth Reagan Mitchell (Dorinda and Jeff's family), Grandchildren
- Barbara Ann Fillinger Poloni (Marty), Sister
- Gale Corrine Fillinger Duran (Chuck), Sister
- Howard John & Leora Marjorie Fillinger, Parents (deceased)
- Nicholas Lee Fillinger, Grandson (deceased)
- Carol Jean Fillinger Gueltig, Sister (deceased)
Services
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Visitation
Friday, February 12, 2021
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Celebration of Life Funeral Service
Saturday, February 13, 2021
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Interment
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Memories
Thomas Charles Fillinger
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYGale youngest sister to Tom Duran
February 16, 2021
I have adored
My BIG brother for over 71 years! He was my BIG brother that taught me humility, passion, discernment and loyalty! I looked up To him for wise counsel and wisdom
He helped me with my horse! Taught me how to Love my Lord and Savior! Gave me my nickname..... Gave everyone a nick name....was my constant companion thru out My life! I will always miss his loving sense of humor and sincere
Love he had for me! If he was here right now he would tell Me " to Get over it"!
Miss you Brother Tom ! ❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏
Douglas W. Chisholm
February 15, 2021
I was blessed to have served under Tom's ministry in the 80's. He greatly impacted my life for Christ and I well remember his love for dividing the Word. I know that he is now present with the Lord he served all of these years, though absent from the body. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family. May God bless!
Doug Chisholm
Debbie Mangum
February 15, 2021
I did not know Mr Fillinger personally, but I know he must have been a great father who shared his love of Christ. I am a friend and co-worker of Dr. Eric Fillinger, who displays his love of Christ in everything that he does and is genuinely one of the nicest, most humble people I have ever know. He and Julie are very special to me. God bless you all and take comfort in Mr. Fillinger's belief in Christ our Savior.
James Mazur
February 13, 2021
Good afternoon Peggy so sorry to hear about your loss had many good memories of Tom growing up in Danbury Township cherish the time that we met at the class reunion at our local high school Jim &Rita Mazur
Vickie Hicks
February 13, 2021
Praying for your family during this time of loss of your loved one. Enjoyed Bro. Fillinger's articles in the paper and hearing his messages on the radio. He will truly be missed.
Wayne Heikkinen
February 13, 2021
Dear Fillinger Family,
I too am one of the many who Tom reached out to through the ministry of IgniteUS. From the initial phone call in 2005 to the multiple trips to asssit our church and consequent regional conferences, he was always true to the Word. He preached, taught, counseled, encouraged , exhorted and rebuked in a way that never left us wondering what he meant!
He was a favorite guest in our home and was sought our by my children. His favorite question for my wife during those long winter months in Canada was..."tell your Sandy to shapened her shovel and get out there"!
My official contract with IgniteUs was only for 3 years but it went way past this into a loving relationship as a spiritual father (I Thess. 2:7-11). He continued to following me from Ontario to where I presently am pastoring in New Brunswick Canada. His last email before Christmas simply said in the subject "CAR-54... Where ARE You"? I certainly am going to miss hearing his voice on the phone but there is one thing for sure, there is no doubt where Tom is today! What blessed HOPE we have in CHRIST.
Thank you for sharing Tom with us. Be assured of our love and prayer for all of you. We are confident...knowing that in Lord, his labor was not in vain.
Because He Lives,
Wayne Heikkinen
Charles Wimberly
February 12, 2021
As neighbors of Tom and Peggy, we had the privilege to get to know Tom over the last few years and we got to be good "over the fence" buddies. We remember him as a fine Christian gentleman whose deep faith was evident to all who encountered him. We also remember him enjoying his tomato garden and his always cheerful disposition. We will miss him.
Charles and Coral Wimberly
Denene Palmer
February 12, 2021
Peggy and the Fillinger family,
The years that Pastor Tom and Peggy were a part of my life while they were here in Columbia, SC as our pastor and pastor's wife were years that I will never forget. Those were years that I grew in my walk with God, in the word and in my prayer life. I learned so much from Pastor Tom's sermons, Bible studies, counseling sessions and many convictions from the Holy Spirit through Him that helped me to grow into a Christian who walks with God uncompromisingly. Dear sweet Peggy is a prayer warrior who taught me how to be a prayer warrior, too, when she and I were prayer partners. Pastor Tom was a tremendous blessing to me in so many ways.
A life's testimony of a man of God who loved God, the word, his wife, family and life tenaciously and uncompromisingly. A life lived abundantly as promised in John 10:10, and a legacy of service to God and family.
Peggy, thank you for sharing Pastor Tom with us. My prayers are with you and the family. What great memories each of you have, and what a great family reunion you all will have in eternity with God, the Father.
God bless you.
Denene Palmer
Scott Ashby
February 12, 2021
To the Fillinger family,
We are strangers to you, but we wanted to tell you how much we loved and appreciated Tom's ministry to us over the past many years. We lead a small Baptist church in Milton, Ontario, Canada. Tom was a mentor and friend to us, coaching us to lead our church through a pastoral transition and toward effective ministry. We owe a debt to him for his wisdom and patience with us. We weren't always good at doing our homework, but he always had time to talk to us about whatever was going on in our ministry and often encouraged us to keep up the good fight! We will greatly miss those video conferences.
We offer our condolences to Peggy (whom Tom loved dearly) and to his entire family. We do rejoice with him, however, in the sure hope of eternal life and we look forward to joining him around the throne of God.
To God Be the Glory!
Scott Ashby and Walt Isaak
Dea and Don Moffitt
February 12, 2021
We were blessed with Tom’s ministry in the late 80’s and got to know his dear wife and daughter well. What a special family! We are praying for you all as you grieve this loss. We’re so happy Tom is now worshiping his Lord and Savior and free of the trials of this earth. We love you all and sorry we can’t be with you in person at this sad time. 💕
Gary Scott
February 12, 2021
I met Tom in the 1970's and when I walked into his office carrying my Greek Testament it started a friendship that lasted for nearly fifty years. We had the joy of working together in a number of ministry context. When we served together in Columbia he did the Cooper River Run and often proudly wore his T-shirt that said, "Get Over It!" When I left Columbia I gifted Tom my horn that if blown would alert me to his need for help (Tom never got into the Lord of the Rings or the Chronicles of Narnia but he appreciated the meaning of the horn). I also had a horn on My end and we often blew them to summon help from each other. Tom was a confident, a trusted friend, and respected bother for nearly all of my ministry life. We often kidded that when we worked together he brought the no-nonsense process and I brought the mercy. We made a good team together. Tom was a real help to my wife Ann who would ocassionally call him for counsel on ministry issues or tell him about my weaknesses that she knew he would address to me. I have great respect for the integrity Tom displayed in his personal life and in his wide ranging ministry activity. I always admired the way He nurtured his children and then his Grandchildren. Tom left a mark for good wherever he went. I will miss the emails, the phone calls, the joint ministry projects, and the fellowship we enjoyed but know that he is now with the Savior he loved and served and is even now awaiting the final trump and shout that will mean Tom will finally be all that God had always intended him to be. Tom fought the fight, he finished the race, and the crown of glory now reflects the grace of God that he constantly celebrated. I think the words Jesus spoke in John 17 certainly apply to Tom; Jesus said, "I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
Bill Hyatt srb
February 12, 2021
Met Tom at Cedarville College,now University.He was a dogmatic fellow but most likeable.I followed his career and tried to encourage others in church work to avail themselves of his expertise.Peg am sad/ happy ,sad for you and family,but happy for Tom to be home.bill Hyatt sr
Josh Culbertson
February 12, 2021
Tom was a wonderful encouragement to me when I was in a tough season of pastoral ministry. I can only imagine how many hundreds of other pastors he helped along the way. I thank God for my remembrance of Tom and pray the family is comforted by the precious Savior Tom served so well.
Mary Lee Creeger
February 12, 2021
My heart and soul are saddened but rejoice that Tom is now at the feet of Jesus, something he always looked forward to. Our kids grew up together both in Tiffin Ohio and then in Cedarville Ohio where we followed the Fillinger’s to in 1971. We were each others family when our kids were little and there was not anything we would not do for each other. Tom was our nickname giver and my kids still recall those names. Although I lost my dear husband 21 years ago just 1 day before Tom’s death anniversary, I am sure those 2 are rejoicing together in Heaven.
Paula K Howse
February 11, 2021
Praying for you during this difficult time.MayGod be with you.
Phyllis Little
February 11, 2021
Privileged to have met Mr. Fillinger only once but found him to be a very gracious & interesting man. My prayers go out to the family.
Harry B. "Sunny" Mooney
February 11, 2021
I will always remember Tom's heart for pastors and his desire to see congregations reform and return to making disciples who follow our Lord and Savior. I will personally miss conversations with my mentor and the great care and concern that he always demonstrated toward my family. It was always a comfort to know that Tom and Peggy diligently prayed for many pastors, their families, and their churches on a daily basis. I pray that God would graciously allow me and other pastors to imitate Tom's great heart for the Lord's church and to be faithful to the Text when we stand before His pulpit on the Lord's Day. Tom will be sorely missed.
Delbert Freeman
February 11, 2021
Please be aware of our prayers and our thoughts during this time. If you need help in any way, please don't hesitate to call.
Delbert Freeman
Chaplain Cullman Regional
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Biography
Thomas Charles Fillinger fulfilled the work God planned for him from before creation and was called home to heaven by his Savior on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.
Tom served his Lord as a pastor and a pastor to pastors through the ministry he established, IgniteUS, Inc., in several states and countries around the world. He grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, the son of Howard John and Leora Marjorie Fillinger, and joined the U.S. Navy upon graduation from high school, proudly serving in the Cuban Missile Crisis. His Northern Ohio roots made him an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns, and a loyal Ohio State Buckeyes fan. His greatest passion was his Lord, Jesus Christ and he served him with an intensity and urgency that left no doubt for anyone who met him that his faith was genuine.
He was also passionate about the love of his life, Peggy Jean Coleman Fillinger. During 60 plus years of marriage, she was his constant companion and supporter. They were loving parents to three children: Roderick H. Fillinger (Cyndi), Dr. Eric B. Fillinger (Julie) and Dorinda Louise Fillinger Mitchell (Jeff). His grandchildren will miss hiking in Harbison Forest with him, having screaming contests in his car, and singing “Get Over It!” But he discipled them well to love the Lord and their families.
Rod and Cyndi’s family: Emily Claire Fillinger, Dr. Meghan Elise Fillinger (Dr. Andrew Durkee), Elisabeth Sara Fillinger, Abigail Joy Fillinger, Reagan Madeleine Fillinger, and Gabrielle Hannah Fillinger
Eric and Julie’s family: Nicholas Lee Fillinger, whom Tom joins in heaven; Andrew Thomas Fillinger
Dorinda and Jeff’s family: Bailey Danielle Mitchell Staal (Michael), Alexandra Valentine Mitchell, Jacob Luke Mitchell (Mariah), Samuel Justice Mitchell, Seth Reagan Mitchell
Tom’s sisters: Barbara Ann Fillinger Poloni (Marty), Gale Corrine Fillinger Duran (Chuck) and Carol Jean Fillinger Gueltig, whom he joins in heaven.