Delmar Dean Thom

On May 4" of 2024, at 12:30am, Delmar Dean Thom, 86, drew his final breath. He was surrounded by his closest remaining family, hand-in-hand with his son and daughter. We were proud to call him Dad and Grandpa, and fortunate to share in his love and generosity. Looking back on our time with him, we celebrate every memory and regret every missed opportunity. Each of these memories is as priceless to us as anything could be. We find as much joy as sorrow and as much peace as turmoil as we share these memories with each other and any well-wishers we encounter along this new path in his absence.

Delmar was born in Arrowsmith, IL, on August 13th, 1937. He grew up in Farmer City, IL, and graduated at the top of his class. After high school, he served in the US Army. He traveled overseas during a brief tour in Germany. After completing his service, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Agriculture in 1966. He went on to work in insurance and took a civil service position as a claims examiner at Scott Air Force Base, a career from which he retired.

He met his loving wife, Dian, in the process and they bought their first home together in Belleville, IL. In this small house on East Grant Street, they started their own family. Eventually they settled in Millstadt, there they remained for the totality of their lives together, establishing and maintaining an acre and a half of land that blessed us with endless supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. With Dian he had something truly timeless and exceedingly uncommon in today’s world: an unwavering partner with which he built an exceptional home and family from very meager beginnings. His simple and unassuming life, equipped with an off-center smirk and an uncommon wit, brought him and those around him joy. For that gift, we are truly grateful.

When his wife of 47 years fell ill, he stayed by her side, providing her with endless love and support as she battled the indignities of cancer for more than two years. Ultimately, she lost her battle and the two were separated. Now after 4 long years apart, they can finally be at rest together with their souls reunited.

Delmar was preceded in death by his wife, Dian Thom (Dill), his father William and his mother Florence (Miller), his older brother Dale and his wife Dee, as well as their daughter, Lori, his younger sister Carolyn Wright (Thom) and her husband Jim, his mother-in-law Delphine Dill (Trampier) and her husband Harold. He is survived by his daughter Mary Steffen (Shaw) and her husband Wade, daughter Jennifer Burke (Thom), son William and his wife Jenine, Niece Ann Longfellow (Wright) and her son James, Nephew Ron Wright and his wife Mary, his granddaughter Sarah Leenerts (Turpen) and her husband Jay, grandson Nick Turpen and his wife Krissy, granddaughter Kylie Reed (Burke) and her husband Jimmy, and granddaughters Makenzie Burke and Joscelyn Thom, as well as 4 great grandsons, Rafe, Charlie, Gus and Harrison, with a 5th due in July.

Delmar’s family will hold visitation from 11am until 1 pm on Saturday, May 18th 2024 at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, IL, with a brief service at 1 pm. He will be laid to rest at a private ceremony on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Dian L. Thom Memorial Scholarship in Mathematics Education in Del’s memory.