Thomas E. McKibben

Tom grew up in Vincennes, Indiana and moved to Chicago as a teenager in pursuit of a better life, where he met and married Dianne on May 31, 1958. Tom and Dianne moved to Crystal Lake in 1962, fulfilling their dream of owning their own home. There they raised their three daughters. Tom was the embodiment of the quintessential American dream. While working his way up in the concrete trades, it occurred to him that he was fully capable of owning and building his own business. His entrepreneurial spirit caught fire and, together he and Dianne went on to own and operate several small local businesses.

Family was the epicenter of Tom's life. He grew up with seven siblings and gained seven more through his marriage. When Dianne's mother was widowed, her younger siblings looked to Tom as a father figure. In fact, when Tom passed the youngest exclaimed, "I lost a brother and a father."

Tom thrived on taking care of others. Generous to a fault, he always went above and beyond; never hesitating to open his wallet or his home to help those in need. He was a man who could and would talk to anyone, and always saw the best in others.

His greatest joy in life was spending time enjoying his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Following Dianne's death in 2016, family friend and widow, Joanne became his constant companion. It gave his family great comfort knowing that he had someone so special to share his life with.

Tom is survived by his children, Debra (Jeff) Minogue, Denise (Greg) McKibben – Dyson, and Dawn (Steve) Ahsmann; grandchildren, Megan (Steve) Bucklad, Justin (Jennifer) Melahn, Cody Melahn, Erin (Brett) Manning, Kaitlyn Melahn, Nathan Ahsmann, Grace Minogue, and Annie Ahsmann; and great grandchildren, Keegan, Mason, Avery, Aurora, Asher, Colden, Oliver, Finn, Penelope, and Milo. He is further survived by his siblings, Pat (Petra) McKibben, Martha Hurm, Laura Radke, Bill (Pat) Radke, Margaret Kristan, Jim (Dorothy) Radke; his loving companion, Joanne Weisenberger; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Dianne McKibben; parents, James and Helen McKibben; siblings, Jean Blann, James “Bud” McKibben, Sue Anthony, Robert McKibben, Donald McKibben, and Mike McKibben.

A private burial and a celebration of life will be held in Tom’s honor at a later date.