Thomas "Tom" Cornell (82) of Effingham
Published on September 24 2024 4:13 pm
Thomas “Tom” Cornell, 82, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024 at his home in Effingham, IL.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham and will begin with a walk-through by the Effingham Retired Volunteer Firefighters. A funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham followed immediately by burial at St. Anthony Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the Effingham Retired Volunteer Firefighters Association, E.R.V.F.A. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.
Tom was born on February 21, 1942, in Effingham, IL, the son of Joseph and Clara (Lawrence) Cornell. He married Doris Having on January 25, 1964, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, and she survives. Tom worked for Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company for over 40 years. He worked part-time as a police officer and a volunteer firefighter, both for the city of Effingham. Throughout his life he enjoyed sports, especially playing and coaching slow-pitch softball which he did into his 60s. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and talented woodworker, two hobbies he enjoyed sharing with his grandchildren who became the focus of his life as he grew older. Tom was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Tom is survived by his loving family: his wife, Doris Cornell of Effingham, his daughter, Jill Huelsing (husband, Tim) of Evansville, IN, grandchildren Kaylee Fletcher (husband, John), Noah, Olivia; his son Timothy Cornell M.D. (wife, Rebecca) of San Carlos, CA, grandchildren Sierra, Alia, Solomon; and his son Kurt Cornell (wife, Shelly) of Columbia, IL, grandchildren Cody, and Wesley.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Gertrude Smith, Bernadette Norman, Marie Hicks, Herman Cornell, Loretta Berchtold, George Cornell, Virgil Cornell, Richard Cornell, Madonna Bushur, Teresa Miller, Verena Niemerg, infant brother, James, and infant sister Flossie.