Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Thomas E. Zenk
1949 - 2022
Thomas E. Zenk
1949 - 2022
Obituary
Guest Book
Thomas Zenk Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Gerald Havens
August 21, 2023
Tom, it´s hard to believe a year has gone by. We still think of you and our great memories of growing up and playing ball together.
Jerry Havens
Jay Victor
August 24, 2022
Tom and I may have 1st met in Marengo, IL in 1949. Both of our Mothers were pregnant (with us), and wandering about they could've bumped into one another at Zenk's Tavern or Shady Lane Farm, thus giving Tom and I magical "alive but still in the womb communication". Anyway our family moved to California in 1959, I was devastated. It wasn't until 1976 that I moved back to Illinois, Chicago that I hooked-up with Tom. We became instant good friends and started golfing a bit. One morning driving to a golf course, "Kiss" came on the radio with, "They Call Me Dr. Love". I think it was Tom who began singing along, except changing the lyrics to... Dr. Golf... and both of us started energetically singing, "They call me Dr. Golf!!!", about 800 times, or as many times as "Kiss" sings it to end the song. I wound-up getting Tom some golf balls monogrammed with "Dr. Golf"... he may still have one or 2 in his golf bag. Tom and I (and lovely Carol) did a lot of laughing... I called them every Christmas and we'd talk for an hour or so. I will miss Tom very much. He was a good person and terrific friend.
James F Duff
August 23, 2022
So sorry to hear about Tom's passing, a truly great guy. I met Tom quite a while ago on the CBOE. He would always put a smile on my face.
Carol, I hope you are doing well, you made a great pair
Love, Jim Duff
Jerry and Linda Havens
August 22, 2022
Tom, may you Rest In Peace. Our friendship will always be in our hearts.
Carol, you are in our prayers!
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
John Nasti
August 22, 2022
What a wonderful and very interesting man. I always enjoyed talking with Tom. His booming voice was unmistakable. RIP my friend.
Angela Smith
August 22, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Mike&Paula Huyer
August 22, 2022
Carol , Paula and I are very sorry for your loss , Tom was such a great guy ,we will keep you both in our prayers .
Holly Carr
August 21, 2022
Nov '65: Zeus, Ben Davis, Merritt, Flance, & I: row 27 McCormick Pl; Rolling Stones first US tour. What an adventure! Now, Zeus, you're front row, blasting thru stardust! Is this the ultimate adventure? Catch ya there.
JC Garbutt
August 21, 2022
Sending love to my heartfelt friend Tom. I will miss you dearly. We met when we both showed up at the U of I as teenagers, a bit lost for sure but we found one another as kindred spirits. Tom was ahead of the curve in the 60's and who knows where things might have gone if he mastered lead guitar! Not many folks tuned into Pink Floyd in 1968. Tom had that great mixture of looking for adventure and finding it while being solid as a rock with a heart of gold. Carol, I'm so glad the two of you found one another and had so many years together. Peaceful journey to the mystery my friend. My spirit will find yours.
Love,
JC
Lotte Chakowski
August 21, 2022
So many memories! So many laughs!
You will not be forgotten! And thank you Carol for making his life so much richer!
Janet Burke (Dahlgren)
August 21, 2022
Please accept my deepest condolences. Prayers to family and friends!
Gretchen
August 21, 2022
Dear Carol,
I am heartbroken. He was a life long friend, and he will be greatly missed.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and have my deepest condolences.
Peace be with you.
Kris White
August 21, 2022
I am so broken-hearted that Tom has passed away, but grateful that he is no longer in pain. He was definitely one of the good guys. I think we probably met in 1st grade and went all 12 years of school together. Thank you, Tom and Carol, for taking time to come to the class reunions and the other few times I was back in IL. I truly appreciated you guys showing up. And Carol...you are such a great addition to our class. It feels like I've known you forever, too. I am so blessed to have had Tom as a life-long friend. Rest in peace, dear friend. You will be missed.
Genny Strumpf
August 20, 2022
So sorry to see another good guy leave us. He was extremely knowledgeable about so many matters. I´m glad he was so strong for you Carol while you two were fighting a courageous battle.
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
1803 Suncast Lane, Batavia, IL 60510
Make a Donation
in Thomas Zenk's name
How to support Thomas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Thomas Zenk's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
