Tom E. Hendrickson

On a beautiful January day, Tom peacefully went Home to Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He lived a life marked by faith, love, laughter and service to his Savior.

Thomas E. Hendrickson was born on March 10, 1947, at Holden Hospital in Carbondale, Illinois. He spent many years as a proud resident of Pittsburg, Illinois, graduated from Marion Senior High School in 1965 and ultimately made Marion, Illinois, his permanent residence.

On March 20, 1976, Tom married the love of his life, Paula J. (Phillips) Hendrickson. Together they built a beautiful life and raised two sons, Kip Hendrickson and Jay Gentry. Family was extremely important to Tom. He and Paula enjoyed watching their sons and grandchildren participate in school, church and sports activities. Tom always appreciated every moment of family time, having been blessed with four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren to enjoy.

In February 1977, Tom made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and became a devoted member of Second Baptist Church of Marion. He was always among the first to arrive, Bible in hand, ready to greet everyone with a handshake and his signature "Tom Hendrickson smile." Tom had a generous spirit and a joyful heart. At Christmas, he loved playing Santa Claus for the Mary Egy Organization, focusing on children with disabilities, bringing smiles and happiness to countless lives. He spent many years singing in the choir, served as Trustee, Head Usher, Sunday School Department Director and taught the College and Career class for a decade with his wife Paula. In addition, Tom went on mission trips to the Ukraine in 1993, 1997 and 2001, and described his experiences as "life changing."

Tom's career spanned nearly 40 years of dedicated service working for General Telephone Co., Verizon and Frontier Communications as a lineman, service technician and cable splicer. He was a member of IBEW Local 702. He enjoyed his work, especially the people he worked with, making many lasting friendships. Following retirement, he worked for Watermark Ford of Marion and Nissan of Marion dealerships as a driver. Tom loved the family atmosphere of the dealerships and the many friendships that developed there.

He and Paula loved to travel and did so extensively throughout the United States, collecting memories-and many funny stories-along the way. They were avid SIU basketball fans and rarely missed cheering on their team. They were also devoted St. Louis Cardinals fans and loved to watch them play. Tom was at Game 4 of the 1987 World Series to see the "greatest bat flip" in World Series history. Tom also enjoyed golfing with his buddies and spending mornings at McDonald's, laughing and talking around the "old coots" table. He truly loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Paula Hendrickson; his sons, Kip Hendrickson and his wife, Traci, of DeLand, FL; Jay Gentry and his fiancée, Amy Oliver of Chicago, IL; his grandchildren, Jordan (Danielle) Hendrickson of DeLand, FL; Tess (Mike) Argila of Chuckey, TN; Caleb and Kyle Gentry of Ullin, IL. He was the proud great-grandfather of Colt and Hunter Hendrickson, and Isabella and Niko Argila, who brought him immense joy. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Ronnie Robertson of West Frankfort, IL and by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles E. and Rosetta (Barnett) Hendrickson; his sister, Linda Robertson; his brother, James Hendrickson; and his sister-in-law, Elsie (Rentfro) Hendrickson.

Tom will be remembered for his faith, his kindness, his joking sense of humor, his tie collection and the way he made everyone feel loved. His legacy of love lives on in all who knew him.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL.

DUE TO THE THREAT OF A SEVERE WINTER STORM, THE FUNERAL SERVICE HAS BEEN POSTPONED. PLEASE CHECK BACK ON OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION.

For those who prefer, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to one or more of the following: "Second Baptist Church Building Fund," "American Cancer Society" or "American Heart Association."

To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit our website at wilsonmcreynolds.com or for additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.