Thomas M. "Tom" ORourke Obituary (1925 - 2014)

ThomasM. "Tom" ORourke, 88, of Peoria, IL, formerly of Downs, Illinois, died Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at his residence at St. Augustine Manor.His funeralwill be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2014, at St. Patricks Church of Merna in Bloomington, Illinois with Monsignor Gerald Ward officiating. Burial will be in St. Marys Cemetery in Bloomington. Friends may call from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.Tom was born on September 29, 1925, in Downs, Illinois, the youngest son ofMartin and Mary (Hickey) ORourke. He graduated from Downs Township High School in 1943. Tom married Lorna Yeagle on September 12, 1950. He was a lifetime farmer and lived most of his adult life in his childhood home in rural Downs Township. Later, he was employed by Ciba-Geigy (formerly Funks Seed Co.) where he later retired at age 62.Tom loved his faith, his family and his farming. He was a longtime member of St. Marys Parish, Downs and in later years was a member of St. Patrick Church of Merna.Survivors include his two daughters, Mary (Dan) Greil, of Cuba City, WI, and Nancy (Jim) Kasprzyk, of Schererville, IN; three sons, Tom (Annette), of Vincennes, IN, Tim (Annette), of Torrance, CA, and Ted (Michelle), of Downs, IL; 21 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Lorna, his parents, his three sisters and seven brothers.The family wishes to express deepest gratitude to the staff and resident of St. Augustine Manor and OSF Hospice.In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. Augustine Manor, 1301 NE Glendale Ave, Peoria, IL 61603 or OSF Hospice.