Thomas E. Malone Obituary (1938 - 2015)

ISU - Normal Professor Emeritus Thomas E. Malone, internationally recognized clay artist and beloved teacher, husband, father, and grandfather died peacefully on November 28, 2015 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington, surrounded by his family. He was 77.On Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 3:30 PM, all are welcome to pray the Rosary at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington; a visitation will follow from 4:00 -7:00 PM. On Friday, December 4, 2015, at 10:30 AM, an additional visitation will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church Merna, Bloomington. At 11:00 AM, Monsignor Gregory Ketcham will celebrate a memorial Mass, and the interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Merna.He was born September 17, 1938 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Edwin J. and Constance A. Malone. He married Nancy C. Zevnik on June 18, 1966 at Middleton, Wisconsin.Surviving are his wife, Nancy, Heyworth; three daughters, Daria (Tony) Schultz and Melissa (Larry) Raglan, both of Heyworth and Erin Malone of Normal; five grandsons, Andrew, Zachary, Jacob, Kyle, and Matthew Schultz, and step-granddaughter Elizabeth (Jared) Chlarson; two sisters, Barbara (John) Dobbertin and Beth Malone, Wisconsin. His parents preceded him in death.In 1963 Tom attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison; he was awarded Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Fine Arts. After creating a ceramics program for the Gilmore Art Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Tom and his family moved to Illinois in 1969 where he and his wife established Earth Water Fire Studios in rural Heyworth. He headed the ISU Ceramics Department for thirty-three years. After retiring from teaching in 2002, he continued clay work with his wife in their studio.Tom is internationally recognized for his research in salt glaze work and kiln design. He inspired a community of students, artists, and teachers from all over the world who shared his love for pottery and its ability to bridge cultural gaps. His students loved his dynamic throwing demonstrations and the afternoon tea breaks in his office where he mentored his students.He loved the outdoors: bird watching, canoeing, gardening, hunting, and especially fishing. He took his grandsons fishing on the Titanic and helped teach them how to fish. He attended his grandsons sporting events and was one of their biggest fans. He also loved spending time with his many pets throughout the years, especially his beloved dog Tarzan and cat TWHE. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. Patrick Catholic Church Merna, Illinois State University College of Fine Arts, or the Alzheimers Association of Central Illinois.