Thomas Melvin Johnson

Thomas M. Johnson, 58, of Sandwich, IL died on Friday, August 1st, while at home surrounded by his loving family after a short and courageous battle with cancer. Tom was born February 10, 1956 in Aurora, IL to Elmer and Marjorie (Spiker) Johnson of Sandwich. He was united in marriage to Nancy Ford on May 22, 1982. After which they had three children Gerald, Gregory and Stephanie, all of Sandwich. Graduate of Sandwich Community High School class of 1974, where he was active in sports though out his years. Tom was once an avid bowler on the Thursday and Friday night leagues in Sandwich at Idle Hours Lanes. “Wong/er” as he was known by many, played in fast pitch softball leagues around the area and slow pitch softball league at Klatt Field, in Plano for many years. He later went on to coach various youth sports teams, including St. Mary’s Basketball, Sandwich T-Ball, Sandwich Boys Baseball and Sandwich Girls Softball. He took much pride in coaching and developing the skills, minds and heart of his children and their peers. And while Tom only had three paternal children, he has been a father figure to so many more. His lifelong love of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears was triumphed with the wins of the Bears: 1985 Super Bowl and the Sox: 2005 World Series. Thomas was a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle; a very kind and generous and a friend to all who was best known for his iconic smile and laugh. Tom held dear to him an extended family; Dude (Melva) Sebby, Mike (Jodie) Beverage, Ken Wehling, Larry (MaryAnn) Phillips, Gerald, Laurie and Carol Phillips and many others. He was employed at Impact Industries/West Irving Diecast from 1974 to 2009 as a grinder. Survived by his wife, Nancy (Ford) Johnson; his children Gerald, Gregory and Stephanie of Sandwich IL; his sister Patricia Grose of St Cloud, WI; his sister-in-laws Deborah Van Etten and Cynthia Musich also of Sandwich; his brother-in-law Steven (Phyllis) Ford of Iowa and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his mother and father, Elmer and Marge Johnson, 2 infant sisters MarciaLou and Michaelynn, brother-in-law Gerald Grose, father and mother-in-law Gerald and Loretta Ford and sister Arnita (Bill) Mageria. Visitation will be 3:30-5:00 and service 5:00-5:30 with refreshments to follow at Cornerstone Church 17347 Pratt Rd, Sandwich, IL on Saturday, August 9. Memorials may be made to the family. Arrangement made by Beverage Family Funeral Home www.beveragefamilyfh.com