Thomas A. Kuebelbeck

Thomas "Tom" A. Kuebelbeck, age 68, of Elburn, passed away at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

He was born Dec. 18, 1940, in St. Paul, Minn., the son of Alfred and Dorothy (Lachowitzer) Kuebelbeck.

Tom grew up in St. Paul and White Bear Lake and attended local schools.

Shortly after his graduation in 1959, Thomas enlisted in the U.S Marine Corps. He faithfully served his country until his honorable discharge on Dec. 12, 1962.

He returned to civilian life in Chicago, where he met the love of his life in February of 1965 and, following a whirlwind courtship, married Raulene Keen in November of that same year. They began their new life together in Lombard for a time before settling in Elburn in 1972.

Thomas worked for Union Pacific for a time before taking the knowledge and experience he gained in the Marines to become an air traffic control supervisor at Chicago Center. He devoted 35 years before his retirement in 1994. Tom came back to the airline industry in 1996 when he worked as an air traffic manager for United Airlines.

Tom was a family man through and through. They were the first on his mind and in his heart in the morning and they were first when he laid down his head when the day was through. He loved doing anything and everything with his family including the annual vacations on winter break. Tom would drive the family up to Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula, Mich., to snowmobile across the wintry landscapes. Summer days found Tom and his friends on the golf course and the evenings brought late night dips in the pool where Tom could relax. When autumn came he could be found with his friends and his dogs hunting pheasant in South Dakota and when Sunday rolled around, you couldn't find a bigger Minnesota Viking fan than Tom. His memory will forever burn bright in the hearts of those who knew him, but none brighter than those of his family.

A lifetime member, past president and recipient of the Melvin Jones Award, Tom was the quintessential Elburn Lions Club member. There was never a job that Tom couldn't do, but if you had to ask, nothing made him happier that tending the grill. He dedicated thousands of hours to his club and community and never missed an opportunity to help anyone, anywhere.

He now leaves his loving wife Raulene; three children, Robbyn (Gene) Streid and their children, Lauryn and Camryn, of Elburn, Todd (Carrie) Keubelbeck and their children, Todd Jr., Blake, and Alexis, of Naperville, Tamarah (Tim) Milroy and their children, Timothy and Matthew, of Batavia; his mother, Dorothy (Leo) Kurkowski; his mother-in-law, Helene Keen; a sister-in-law, Diane Link; two nephews, Bryan and Jason Link; and a family of friends.

He now joins his father Alfred and his father-in-law Raymond Keen, who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Gall Catholic Church, Elburn, at 11 a.m. Monday, April 27, 2009. Private cremation interment will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name. Checks may be made to the Thomas Kuebelbeck Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com.