H. THOMAS "Tom" POWERS was born on June 1, 1939 in Cleveland, OH and died unexpectedly on January 21, 2010. He was the only child of Heman R. and Lorna F. Powers. The family moved to Wheaton when Tom was young and he spent his youth on President Street playing with his pets and earning money by mowing lawns. He graduated from Wheaton High School and attended Wabash College.



Tom went on to completed flight training and earned his commercial pilot license and instructor certifications. He worked at DuPage County Airport as a corporate pilot, a contractor for the US Postal Service, and for a charter service. It was there he met his first wife, Christine (Nevin). They were married for seven years and had two daughters, Elizabeth and Lee. He was remarried a few years later to Betty (Gibson) Powers. He gained three children from that marriage: Terry, Linda and Carol, and was quite close with all three, though the marriage lasted only a short time.



Tom was an avid automobile fan and loved to watch racing, be it NASCAR, Indy or Midgets and had an extensive collection of race memorabilia and autographs. He loved to go "up north" to visit his children and grandchildren in Michigan. He enjoyed the slow pace of the small towns, the beach and the smell of fresh pine.



Tom was a friend to many and was always willing to lend a hand to those in need or offer a shoulder to cry on. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Heman Powers and leaves behind his mother, Lorna Powers; two daughters, Elizabeth Stevens and Lee Peterson; and five grandchildren: Allison, Lauren, Rachel, Terran, Carson. Visitation will be held Friday, January 29, from 12-2 pm and followed by a 2:00 funeral service at the Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton IL. Following the service, refreshments will be served at the Gary Memorial Methodist Church annex. Interment will be private