JANIS MIERVALDIS TUMS

JANIS TUMS Obituary

Janis "John" Miervaldis Tums, born in Jekabpils, Latvia, Dec. 14, 1928, passed away peacefully at his home in Oak Park, IL on Sept. 28, 2009. John is survived by his children, Nora and Herbert; his brothers, Valdis and Edvins; and nieces and nephews, Normund, Anita, Mara, Edgar, Arnold and Laura. He is also the father of Daina Tums, his first born child, who died in a car accident in 1984. John is a former Chicago Chess Champion and Illinois Chess Champion, and chess and golf brought him much joy throughout his life. A graduate of IIT, he spent his career at Pyle-National in Chicago working as a mechanical engineer. He was a quiet, intelligent, cerebral man with great love for his children, his homeland of Latvia, and his fraternity Lettgallia. John was one of the many Latvians displaced from their homes in World War II. He spent his teenage years in displaced person camps in Europe until his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago in 1950. He married in 1954, and in1962 he settled with his family in Oak Park, IL. Divorced in 1969, he remained in Oak Park for the remainder of his life. The family would like to thank and acknowledge Donald Robinson, who was, along with his daughters Ka'lynn and Courtney, friend, companion, and caretaker to John in his later years, allowing him to remain in the home that he loved. From Herb and Nora, Dad, we miss you. There will be a memorial service Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at St Peter's Latvian Lutheran Church, 450 Forest Preserve Dr., Wood Dale. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either of: World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA), 400 Hurley Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850; or the Latvian Occupation Museum Fund, c/o Daina Albertins, 1053 Alder Lane, Naperville, IL 60540.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Oct. 2, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for JANIS TUMS

8 Entries

October 13, 2009

With deepest sympathies to the John Tums family and friends. I worked for Pyle-National for 41 years before retiring in 1993. I worked in Graphic Arts/Advertising department and I would occasionally work with John on complying assembling instructions on newly designed engineering products. John was extremely precise and meticulous concerning instruction details. When John wasn't so serious and he thought something was funny, his laughter was hearty and catching.
John was a pleasure to know and work with.
With peace to his family.
Rock Assise

Maura Simms

October 9, 2009

Nora and family, my condolences and kisses; what a wonderful life he lead and what wonderful memories you will always have; much love and prayers to you all.

Robert Sobut

October 4, 2009

Herb and Nora: What a touching tribute to your Dad.

Peace and Love to you both....

October 3, 2009

Vieglas smiltis!
Sigurd un Ruta Krolls

Debbie Buckley

October 3, 2009

Dear Nora and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting him, you always spoke highly of him. His obituary told a wonderful story of who he was and of his life. May he now be at peace. My deepest sympathies.

October 2, 2009

Nora and Herb: I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of John. It seemed he had become a reliable fixture of Oak Park, one that was sure to bring you guys back at least a couple of times a year. All things eventually perish, and I'm glad his was a peaceful passing. He is lucky to have had you two as loyal, loving children, and to have had the companionship and care of his housemate family. With deep regret for your loss, Elise

October 2, 2009

Dear Nora and family,

I am so sorry to hear about your Father. I know from speaking with you that everyday was a tough go for him, but I remember your excitement and joy when during one of your trips to visit, for some reason, he seemed to awaken and be engaged and more like the man you remember growing up with. I was so happy you were able share that time with your Dad and create a memory that more resembles how he was when you were younger.

Regards and with my deepest sympathies,

Dave Brooks

Donald Robinson

October 2, 2009

To the family,
My condolences. John will greatly be missed by my daughters Ka'Lynn and Courtney and myself. He became their great-grandfather during the time we spent together. As a child I had very little conversattion with John. But during the past six years that I lived with him I got to know a very inteligent man. We had many conversations about various things late into the night, especially when he had trouble sleeping and I was able to be company. It was a very sad moment when I awoke and took his breakfast to him on Monday morning to find that he had entered into eternal sleep. He won't have to suffer any more. Again to the family, keep your heads up knowing that he can rest peacfully now. John will be greatly missed.

Donald Robinson

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