Robert "Tom" Poole

July 16, 1944 - April 14, 2017

Robert “Tom” Poole Sr. Age 72, longtime resident of Gardner, IL, passed away peacefully, Friday, April 14, 2017 at Morris Hospital with his loving family by his side. He was born on July 16, 1944, in Paducah, Kentucky to the late Robert and Nelle Poole. He married Jerry Elder on September 4, 1965 in Paducah, Kentucky. Tom was an avid sports fan, especially the Kentucky Wildcats. He enjoyed watching NASCAR in the garage on Sunday afternoon with friends and family. He also enjoyed attending his grandsons sporting events who were his pride and joy. Tom was a member of The St. Lawrence Catholic Church a former member of The Gardner Volunteer Fire Department, Captain of the Emergency Squad and an EMT. He held many community positions such as former President of The Gardner Grade School Board, Village Commissioner, Garfield Township Trustee, Grundy County Board member, and a Dwight VFW Auxiliary member. Tom was also a member of the Lion’s Club, sat on The Grundy County Board of Health, and most known for working at RR Donnelly’s of Dwight for 35 years before retiring in 2004. After retirement, Tom was an employee at The South Wilmington Firemen's Club. He was also an Eagle Scout in his early years. Tom is survived by his wife, Jerry Poole of Gardner; one son Robby (Monica Katcher) Poole of Blackstone; one daughter Tracy (Kurt) Kociss of Gardner; two grandsons, Kal and Kade Kociss; one sister Teresa Poole of (Roanoke, VA); two granddogs, Koachie and Maizey. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Katy Poole. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at R.W. Patterson Funeral Home in Braidwood. A funeral mass will take place at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington. Father Stanley Drewniak will be officiating the mass. Burial will follow at Braceville Gardner Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Gardner Fire Department and St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Please sign his guestbook at www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com.