Tom Wannamaker

TOM M. WANNAMAKER, 73, of Arcola, IL passed away at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon, IL.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at the Edwards Funeral Home. Visitation will be held two hours prior, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday April 5, 2016 at the funeral home.

Tom was born on March 8, 1943 in Cheraw, SC. He was the son of Thomas M. and Louisa (Spruill) Wannamaker. He married Joni Gruelle in Atlanta, GA and they have celebrated over 20 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Joni of Arcola, IL, three daughters, Ellen Gann and her husband Ward of Cleveland, GA, Julie Carr of Rome, GA and Elizabeth of Atlanta, GA, three step-children, Megan Keating of Rome, GA, Kelly Keating of CT and Shane Keating of Atlanta, GA, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

After graduating from high school Tom went onto the University of South Carolina where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree. After college Tom was a United States Marine Captain in the Vietnam War.

Tom had worked for the Centers for Disease Control in Georgia. In 1998 Tom Joni moved to Arcola, IL where they have lived for nearly 20 years. After moving to Arcola, Tom and Joni opened the Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum in downtown Arcola in May of 1999.

Tom loved to walk and hike. He also enjoyed gardening, working in his yard and animals.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the A.W.O.O.F. at the Douglas County Animal Shelter to help animals that Tom loved so much.