Thomas H. Black

Thomas H. Black Sr., 85, of Villa Grove passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at his home surrounded by family.

Tom was born on September 19, 1937 in Mattoon to Henry and Ethel (Fisher) Black.  He married Margaret King on January 28, 1956 in Metropolis, IL; she survives.

Also surviving are two children, Thomas (Sherry) Black Jr. and Shelly (Darby) Kilber; three grandchildren, Kristin (Jay) Goff, Jeremie (Jessica) Kilber, and Melissa (Chad) Price; five great-grandchildren, Cole Price, Cooper Price, Karlie Kilber, Kadence Goff, and Makayla Goff; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings.

Tom was a railroader for 40 years.  He worked for C&EI, Missouri Pacific, then finally for Union Pacific before he retired.  Once retired he began working for Illini FS, Super Lawn, and then at the Tri-City Country Club in Villa Grove as the Greenskeeper.

He was an avid fisherman and loved to travel to different states to fish; his favorite being Tennessee.  Tom and his wife Margaret went to Lake Placid, Florida every winter for 15 years.  They loved to travel together and visited every state in the U.S. except for four. 

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at the First Christian Church in Villa Grove.  The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Mike Zylstra officiating; burial will follow at the Villa Grove Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church in Villa Grove.

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