Thomas Joseph Sommerdyke was unexpectedly taken to Heaven on Christmas Day, 2023, perhaps fitting for a man so dedicated to his family, his faith, and days of celebration. In Tom’s world, there were no strangers, only friends he hadn’t met yet. He connected easily with everyone, whether it was customers during his career in software sales, fellow parents at his kids’ sports events and school functions, or that lucky person who happened to sit next to him on an airplane with whom Tom would make fast friends. They all connected with him because they could tell he cared, making sure everyone felt welcome, had a seat, a full drink, a full belly, and had a great time. His gregarious laugh and quick smile would always brighten your day and warm your heart. He and his wife of 30 years Vicki raised three wonderful children who dearly love their parents and each other, Megan (fiancé Hunter), Kelly, and Matt. Tom is survived by his mother Patrica, sister Jenny, and brother John (Chris) and was welcomed in Heaven by his father Thomas, sister Sue (Mike), and loyal furry friend Rollie. He was a loving son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, and cousin who never wanted to miss a family event.

Tom was a proud graduate of Michigan State University during the Magic Johnson and Kirk Gibson years, but his three kids choosing to follow in his footsteps to East Lansing made him the most proud allowing him to relive his glory days during parents’ weekends and football games. He loved screaming at the TV during Spartan games, spending Summers at his place on Bostwick Lake in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and any time he could get together with the buddies he graduated with from Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 1975. His last day was spent watching his beloved Detroit Lions (“rebuilding since 1957” he would always say) win a division championship, attending mass at St. Michaels, cooking his specialty French Onion soup for Christmas Eve dinner, and then heading to his basement “man cave” with his family for a night of fun and games. For the first time in his life, he has left the party early but we are so thankful for all the love he gave while he was here. Increments of time are not accurate to measure the impact he has had on those whose lives he touched during his too-short 66 years. His actions showed us the importance of “being there” for each other. In good times and in bad, you could count on Tom to show up, and it always turned out to be a good time when he did. Go Green…

Visitation will be at Williams-Kamp Funeral Home, 430 E Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 from 5-8pm, tonight,  Friday, January 5, 2024 and a funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 10am at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 310 S Wheaton Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187. The family will receive visitors at the church before mass beginning at 9am. If you would like, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Tom’s memory to the “St. Michaels School Endowment Fund” at the address for the church above.

https://westchicagovoice.com/2024/01/05/thomas-joseph-sommerdyke-obituary/