Thomas "Tommy" Kroll

Thomas Mark "Tommy" Kroll, 71, of Kankakee, passed away Tuesday (Sept. 3, 2024), at his home.

He was born Oct. 28, 1952, in Fairbury, the son of James and Marie (Kemp) Kroll. He married Debra Byard on Feb. 19, 2011, in Kankakee.

Surviving are his wife, Debra Kroll, of Kankakee; one daughter, Stephanie Kroll Piacenti, of Bourbonnais; two stepsons, Randy (Heather) Pierce, of Clifton, and Derek (Marissa Klaman) Pierce, of Kankakee; two grandsons, Adrian Piacenti, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Ethan Piacenti, of Bourbonnais; four step-granddaughters, Lily (Garrett Manny) Pierce, of L'Erable, Randi Pierce, of Clifton, Dallas Pierce, of Kankakee, and Madisen Platt, of Kankakee; one step-great-grandson, Sutton Manny, of L'Erable; sister, Jane (Charley) Wirtz, of Bradley; and brother, Daniel (Shelly) Kroll, of Bradley.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one sister, Angela O'Conner; and two brothers, Richard Kroll and Michael Kroll.

Tommy was an auto body technician most of his life and retired from working at Precision Auto Center in 2018.

He was of the Lutheran faith.

Tommy, or better known by his nickname, "Cocktail," was a dirt track stock car racer for 40 years. He retired from racing in 2009. He won 12 track championship titles throughout his racing career. He drove a late model, limited late model, sportsman, and modified. Tommy raced at Kankakee Speedway, Fairbury, Farmer City, Santa Fe Speedway and several other tracks. He loved all of his racing fans.

He enjoyed living on the Kankakee River while boating, fishing and just relaxing. Tommy would take his dog, Max, for rides on the jet ski. He would go camping in Florida in the winter months and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

A memorial visitation will be from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.

Memorials may be made to UpliftedCare Hospice, Bourbonnais.

Please sign his online guestbook at knappfuneralhomes.com.