Thomas Dean Ketchmark Sr., 77, of 823 Washington St., Minonk passed away peacefully at his home, attended by his wife, P.J., and their four children, at 6:25 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 30, 2006 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Minonk. Father Neri Greskoviak will officiate. Interment will be in Minonk Twp. Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 to 8, with a prayer service at 8:00 p.m. at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Minonk. Additional visitation will be on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass.

Tom was born May 7, 1929 at Benson a son of John Leo and Pearl Trantina Ketchmark. He married Pearl Jacqulyn "P.J." Davis on August 12, 1961 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Minonk. She survives.

Other survivors include three daughters, Colleen (and Wayne) Weber,
Christine (and Randy) Ruestman, and Cynthia (and Craig) Meyer all of Minonk; one son, Thomas Dean Jr., of Bloomington; nine grandchildren, Morgan, Jordan and Trent Ruestman; Cody, Logan and Abby Jo Weber; Zach, Nick and Mackenzie Meyer; one sister, Gloria Jurczak, Minonk; one brother, Robert (and Celia) Ketchmark, Gridley; two aunts, Angie Ketchmark, Morton and Evelyn Trantina, Benson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Tom was a life-long resident of Minonk. He proudly served 4 years in the United States Navy during the Korean War aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gilbert Islands. He was Minonk City Treasurer for 12 years, Ward 3 Alderman for 16 years, and on the Zoning Board for 8 years - for a total of 36 years of service in Minonk city government. Tom also served on the Minonk Food Pantry Board, St. Patrick's Church Building Committe, St Patrick's Parish Council, and the Simater Board of Directors. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Minonk, and the Polish National Alliance in Streator. He was also a member of the American Legion Color Guard for 8 years, and a 50-year member of the American Legion.

Prior to retiring as a union carpenter in 1992, he had worked for Kent
Lumber & Coal Co., Minonk, and 28 years for Winkler Construction Co., Washburn.

After years of camping vacations with their children, Tom & P.J. spent their retirement years enjoying family activities when they were at home in Minonk and helping at their daughters' candy store, Cunningham's Candies, during the Christmas season. Each year they enjoyed their small winter home in Rockledge, FL, and spent the late summer and fall months at Kitchie Landing Resort near Bemidji, MN.

Tom loved telling Navy & fishing stories and keeping up with local politics. He was an avid gardener and was known for his tulips, meticulously maintained yard, expert craftsmanship, and clean cars. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be directed to BroMenn Hospice, Virginia at Franklin Ave., Normal, IL 61761

Online condolences may be sent to his family at http://www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com/