Edwin Simonson

EDWIN "TOM" SIMONSON, age 86, of Lombard Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 Edwin "Tom" Simonson, age 86, a longtime resident of Lombard, was called home to Our Lord on Monday October 29, 2019. Tom was the loving husband of Lila Jean Schroeder Meyers, married one month shy of 33 years. Loving father to Ken (Dez) Simonson and Laura (Mark) Cook. Loving stepfather to Dawn Meyers-Bergin, Wendy (Phil) Meyers Zelazny, and Kent Meyers. Papa to grandchildren Nicole (Alex) Cook Andersen, Thom, Chris, Kelsey, Natalie, Kenny and Stephen Cook, Kim, Kristin and Maggie Simonson Rice, step-grandchildren Paul Bergin, Jules and Cody Zelazny. Tom was also Great Papa to Braedon Wheeler, Sophia, Piper and Lucas Andersen. After high school, Tom was in National Guard 1950-1953, then drafted to the 11th Airborne, making a couple jumps on forest fires in KY until an ankle fracture resulted in grounding him to fireman duty and then eventually ordered to St. Yohon, Austria where he was trainer for light machine guns. He traveled around Europe until he was shipped to North Korea where he was shot during peacetime while skiing by the previous enemy who did not accept that it was peacetime. He then went back to St. Yohan to the 59th Reconnaissance Forces in Vienna. He was discharged in June 1955, serving two more years in the Reserves. Tom had a vast number of jobs and talents, including being a carnival roust-a-bout, airport vending machine repair and distribution, United Parcel Service, Jewel Foods, Beeline Fashions, salad chef in a Chicago restaurant, Hotpoint Appliance repair, baker at Lilac Bakery in Lombard, Printer for 6 years, and finally G.E. appliance repair for 30 years. After retirement, he had his Tom's Fix-It- Shop for many years here in Lombard. He enjoyed music and dancing, frequenting Casey's Restaurant every Friday night. He was "Tiger Tom" to many due to his love for tigers and his family readily indulging in his collection. He also loved gadgets and infomercials , putting all the lights on intricate timers, so the house had many one-time used appliances. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 31st from 3 to 9 PM at Brust Funeral Home, 135 South Main Street, Lombard. Funeral Service will be Friday, November 1st with Mr. Simonson Lying-In-State from 10 AM until time of Service at 10:30 AM at St. John's Ev Lutheran Church, 215 South Lincoln, Lombard. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois. Memorials to GiGi's Playhouse for Down's Syndrome in McHenry, Illinois; LaRabida Children's Hospital or St. John's Lutheran Church would be appreciated.