Thomas C. Hildebrand, Sr.

CHARLESTON, IL – Thomas C. Hildebrand, Sr., age 91 of Charleston, entered his Heavenly Home while in the comforting presence of his loving family on Monday, October 30, 2017 at Lakewood Village.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2017 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the funeral chapel with Pastor Tom Skinner officiating.  Burial with Military Rites conducted by the combined honor guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592 and Charleston American Legion Post 93 will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.  It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in his honor be made to the Charleston Food Pantry or to a charity of the donor’s preference.  Gifts may be left at the visitation or service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. 

Tom was born November 12, 1925 in Charleston, a son of the late Ross and Agnes (McMahon) Hildebrand.  He married Betty Jane Burris on April 9, 1949 and they celebrated nearly 58 years of marriage and friendship prior to her death on January 24, 2007.  Tom is survived by a loving and devoted son, Tom Hildebrand, Jr. and wife Gail of Charleston; four granddaughters and their families, Jennifer (Franklin) Harris, her husband Ron and their daughter Addison Harris of Casey, Illinois, Rebecca (Hildebrand) Minor and her husband Jason and their children McKenna and Sydney Minor of Denver, Colorado, Delana (Black) Parker and her husband Wes and their children, Hampton and Bryce Parker of Westfield, Illinois, Cheryl (Black) Sanner and her husband Joe and their children Ethan Sicilian and Kelson Sanner of Charleston; and a son-in-law, Toby Franklin.  In addition to his parents and wife, Tom was preceded by a daughter, Luana Sue Franklin; two brothers, Joey and Owen Hildebrand; and two sisters, Mary Ruth Ward and Evelyn Akers. 

Tom honorably served his country with the United States Navy during WWII and was a longtime and faithful member of the Friendship Baptist Church family.  Tom retired from Eastern Illinois University where he was a building services employee.  He enjoyed gardening and woodworking and could occasionally be found in the kitchen baking his favorite angel food cake or other family favorites.  Tom was a man of integrity whose life was centered round those he loved.  His family always took precedence above all else and their lives have been richly blessed with the loving kindness and devotion of this wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather.