8Thomas L. Garland

Thomas L. Garland 90, a longtime resident of DeKalb, died on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at his home.

Tom was born in 1926 in Harmon, Illinois, son of the late Lawrence Francis and Mary Margaret (Miller) Garland. Tom was a Staff Sergeant with the Company C, 32 ^nd Infantry Division, 128 ^th Infantry Regiment in Luzon and Japan during World War II.

In 1951, Tom married Marjorie Ann (Friel) Garland, who shared his lifetime interest of reading, traveling, music and dancing. Tom was a great father and role model to his six children. Prior to his retirement in 1987, he worked for Nicor Gas Company.

He is survived by his sons and daughters Greg (Carol) Garland of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Steve (Rhonda) Garland of Sycamore, Illinois, Bradly (Susan) Garland of Cincinnati, Ohio, Nancy (Bill) McGing of Elmhurst, Illinois, Mary Nell (Mario) Mendez of Prospect Heights, IL, Scott Garland (Jim Pawelski) of Chicago; along with 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Joan Babel of  Land O'Lakes, Florida, and brother, Gary (Carol) Garland of Sterling, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marjorie on March 20, 2017 and sister Joyce (Garland) Reynolds.

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 10:30am at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb with Father Dean Russell officiating.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Finch Funeral Home with a wake service at 7:45pm.  Cremation will take place after services at Finch Crematory with burial at a later date at the St. Mary Cemetery.  To send an online condolence please visit: www.finchfuneralhomedekalb.com .  Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.