THOMAS JOSEPH DORAN

1931 - 2010

Thomas Joseph Doran, 78, of Joliet, Ill., died March 11, 2010, at home.
Tom was born Nov. 9, 1931, in Chicago, to Thomas and Eleanor (Feeney) Doran. He married Pearl Ritzke on April 8, 1954.
Tom grew up on the southside of Chicago and graduated from Kelly High School in 1949. During high school he was in the Reserved Officers Training Corps and was a cadet sergeant. He reported for active duty in August 1950 to the United States Marine Corps. He served during the Korean War and was stationed in Korea where he was the only surviving member of his troop and a POW. He received the Korean Service Medal during his time in the Marines and his rank was Corporal. He was honorably discharged in 1952.
Tom worked very hard all of his life and became a locomotive engineer in 1971. He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad until his retirement in 1996. Upon his retirement, he and his wife, Pearl, took a long-awaited trip to Hawaii. Since his retirement, Tom enjoyed spending time with his family. He always liked a good beer and a good joke. His dear wife Pearl took care of him during his last year when he was ill and in bed.
He is survived by his wife, Pearl; two daughters, Pat (Dave) Kampe of Goodyear, Ariz., and Cindy (Mike) Krause of Tinley Park; sons, Tom (Roberta) Doran of Morris, Jim (Leslie) Doran of Sycamore and Bob (Illiana) Doran of Stickney; 14 grandchildren, Dave, Dan, Bob, Kelly, Jackie, Michael, Maddie, Tommy, Kevin, Michelle, Rachel, Jason, Danny and Victor; and one great-grandchild, Jayden; sister, Ellen Martin of California; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 15, followed by burial, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 27034 S. Diagonal Road, Elwood. Visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfurt Way, Frankfurt, IL 60423.
Donations can be made to Vitas Hospice Care, in care of Roberta Doran, 3780 W. Sawmill Lane, Morris, IL 60540.