Our dearest brother Thomas Joseph Engels passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, with his siblings at his side at Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be at 11:00a.m., Monday, February 29 in the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Deacon Ray Fischer officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-5p.m., in the Merritt Funeral Home.

Tom was born to Edmund and Virginia (Mentgen) Engels on December 3, 1960 in LaSalle. His siblings Cheryl Bird of Mendota, Phyllis (Walter) Felts of Des Plaines, Marianne (James) Lippold of Ottawa, and Gregory (Ambrosia) Engels of LaSalle grew up together on the family farm south of Mendota along with brother Theodore Engels who preceded him in death in 1977. His parents are also preceded him.

Tom had a special dog, Chienne, who meant the world to him. Unfortunately he was unable to find that special gal.

Tom, the gifted one, the skilled one, the kind and generous one. Tom, the talkative one. He was able to talk to anyone and everyone about anything. His mind was chock full of scientific facts, interesting stories, useless trivia, news articles, geology, archaeology, chemistry, astronomy. Tom had knowledge of so many topics. He was a sociable person and thrived on being around people. He loved to travel and would visit friends scattered across the United States during his travels. He lent a helping hand, gave money, supported friends, anything anybody asked of him. There are givers and takers in the world. Tom was a giver. His last gift of kindness was donationto Gift of Hope, Organ and Tissue Donor Network.

Southern Illinois University was where he studied his special interest of geology and attained a Bachelor of Science degree in that field. Among his many interests, he enjoyed spelunking and rock hunting and pursued these hobbies all around the country. He continued his interest in travel during his career as a trucker. His final job was with Repsel Trucking carrying the US mail from the LaSalle-Peru area to Peoria and back. Today we we carry a truckload of tears and memories of this kindhearted person.

Memorials may be directed to IVAR (Illinois Valley Animal Rescue) in honor of his beloved dog Chienne.