Thomas E. Skill

      Thomas E. Skill, age 85, of Peotone, IL, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at his home.

      He was born on July 18, 1938, in Chicago, IL, the son of Edward and Marion Skill.  Tom was a graduate of St. Rita High School and then attended Western Illinois University where he also played baseball.  It was also at Western Illinois University that he met Josephine Warszalek, the love of his life and future wife.  They were married on June 8, 1963, in Posen, IL.  She passed away on June 1, 2011.  Tom then earned his master’s degree in education from DePaul University.  He began his forty-year teaching career at Beecher High School, then taught at Thornton Fractional High School, and then spent the last 25 years at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.  He also taught driver’s education at Peotone High School.  Tom was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic in Peotone since 1976.  He taught CCD classes there and served as a eucharistic minister.  He was a big fan of all the Chicago sports teams and an avid golfer.   He played in the men’s softball leagues in Peotone for many years.  Tom previously served on the Peotone 207U School District Board of Education and was a very giving person by nature supporting many charitable organizations.

      He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Bart Swanson of Bloomington IL; his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas C. and Liane Skill of Plainfield, IL; and his granddaughter, Claire Marie Swanson.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine (Warszalek) Skill, and his parents, Edward and Marion Skill.

      Cremation rites have been accorded.   A memorial visitation will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Peotone on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. A memorial funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Father John Regan officiating.  Inurnment will follow at Peotone Cemetery.  Memorials in his name may be directed to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.  Share a memory at www.feddehelfrichcrossfh.com