Charles "Tom" Thomas Lindenfelser

C. Thomas “Tom” Lindenfelser, 95, of Metamora, IL, passed away at 8:25 pm on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Snyder Village Health Center in Metamora.

He was born on April 3, 1928, in Peoria, IL, to Joseph E. and Ethel F. (Sproat) Lindenfelser. He married Suzanne Seitz on June 25, 1948 and they divorced in 1954. He then married Betty Helen (Kaps) Donnar in Peoria, IL on June 5, 1955. She passed away on June 25, 2010.

Also preceding him in death are his son, Charles Thomas Lindenfelser II, half-brother, Lester C. Lindenfelser and his son Joseph Lindenfelser, and half-brother, Russell W. Lindenfelser and his daughter Mary Jo Van Dran and his grandson John Van Dran.

Surviving are his children, Donald Lindenfelser of Georgetown, KY and Mary Ann (Art) Jenke of Germantown Hills, IL; daughter-in-law, Lynn Lindenfelser of Dearborn Heights, MI; grandchildren, Kierstyn Lindenfelser, Brooke Fitzsimmons, Heather Lindenfelser Frazier, and Christopher Jenke; great-grandchildren, Beckett Fitzsimmons, Kina Lindenfelser Frazier, and Stephanie Fitzsimmons; great-great-grandchildren, Asher and Camille Fitzsimmons; Lester’s wife Michele and their children Nicole Logan, Annie Fliesner, and Katrina Baker; and Russell’s granddaughter Sandy Ochs and his great-granddaughters Janet (Matt) Shipley and Michell (Travis) Allen.

Tom was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving in the U.S. Infantry during the Korean War. He played the trombone and was a member of the 10th Division Military Band, a precise “spit and polish” ceremonial army show band stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas from 1950 until 1951.

Tom was first employed in advertising and sales promotion for Block and Kuhl department stores in Peoria from 1946 – 1948, and then Vice-President and Advertising Manager for Cohen Furniture Co. in Peoria from 1948 – 1979. He opened his own advertising agency, Tom Lindenfelser, Inc. from 1980 until 1990. He then created Evergreen Advertising, Inc. from 1990 until 2010 when he retired at age 82.

Tom was an active member and President of the Peoria Rockhounds, Division of the Peoria Academy of Science from 1960 until 1970, member of the Peoria Rose Society (several blue and many other ribbons) from 1970 until 1980. He was active in the creation of building of the Germantown Hills Christian Church where he was Chairman of the Board until the church closed. He then became a member of Ro-Land Manor Baptist Church in Sunnyland, IL from 2006 until 2021 and then joined Willow Hill United Methodist Church in Germantown Hills in August, 2021.

He moved to Snyder Village in 1994 where he became an avid bridge player. There he wrote a book about bridge at Snyder Village called “Down One” with ten basic points to help beginners improve their ability to win.

His retirement years were spent as founder, writer, director, and producer for the Snyder Village Gospel Choir from 2003 until the pandemic. This choir created a platform for the unique talents of the elderly and disabled of Snyder Village as well as many younger residents, employees, and volunteers.

He and his wife, Betty, enjoyed traveling in their motor home visiting over 30 other states and in their later years spent three months each winter in the Fort Myers and Naples, Florida area. Tom wrote and published a book on motor home vacationing called “How to Travel America in Your Self Contained RV and Stay Free Every Night.”

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Willow Hill United Methodist Church with Pastor Nicole Cox officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Fondulac Township Cemetery in East Peoria, IL with military rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Snyder Village Residents in Need Fund, 1200 East Partridge Street, Metamora, IL 61548. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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