Thomas Crook

Thomas E. Crook, age 76 of Pittsfield, IL passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. He was born September 19, 1947, in Atlas Township, IL to Lawrence and Ada Bernice Lee Crook. Thomas married Mary Catherine Schlieper April 19, 1973, at Calvary Baptist Church in Pittsfield and she survives.

Tom grew up in Rushville, IL and attended Rushville schools. He was a member of Pittsfield Assembly of God Church. Tom worked as a steel machinist working for Ag Grain in Havana for many years and later worked for Hofmeister Welding, retiring at age 62. He loved to write songs and poems and enjoyed playing his guitar for family gatherings and sometimes at church. Tom especially enjoyed playing at the fellowship prayer group in Missouri. Tom was always good with his hands and could fix or build anything you set in front of him. He loved to spend time in his shop listening to country music and woodworking. Tom and Mary took delight in spending time together drinking their morning coffee on the porch. He was meticulous about his yard and sometimes tended to the neighbor’s yard too! He had a wonderful sense of humor, had a huge heart and could sometimes come across a little cantankerous but will be dearly missed by friends and family. His greatest joy was to be with his family and spending time at his home.

Tom is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Crook; daughters, Mary Louann (Steve) Shaw of Pittsfield, IL and Betsy Jane (Carlo) Bruno of Marshall, MO; eight grandchildren, Tom (Ashley) Shaw, Andy Shaw, April (Mike Brewer) Shaw, Richard (Andra) Swartout, J.T. Snyder, Madison (Matt Henderson) Throne, Joshua Throne and Alithia Bruno; six great grandchildren, Owen Shaw, Tucker Shaw, Ziony Shaw, Julian Villareal, Cristian Swartout and Adrian Swartout; brother, Donald (Karen) Crook; sisters, Sandy Blackorby, Becky Shephard, Mary Ellen Crowe, Katy Williams and Vada Williams; special cousin, Roger (Jane) Crook; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Ada Crook; granddaughter, Mary Jane; great grandson, Ryder Andrew; brothers, Larry Crook and David Crook; sisters, Sue Sides and Dorothy Brehe; and in-laws whom he was especially fond of, Junior and Betty Schlieper.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, December 18, 2023, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with visitation held prior to the service from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Interment will follow the funeral service at Nebo Cemetery in Nebo, IL. Memorials are suggested to be made to the family c/o Niebur Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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