THOMAS “TOM” E. MOLITOR

Thomas E. Molitor, 78, of Maple Park, IL, passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Good Samaritan Hospital on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Tom was born February 6, 1945 in Aurora, IL to Peter and Myrtle (Jackson) Molitor.  In early childhood, Tom’s family moved from Aurora to Sugar Grove, where he attended Kaneland schools.  Throughout Tom’s childhood, he worked at the Huntoon Riding Stable in Sugar Grove with his brothers Don and Ron.  Following school, Tom began working in construction and spent his life refining his craft. A foreman from the very beginning, he displayed his adept carpentry skills till the time he set down his hammer. Tom found his love and passion for carpentry, working diligently to provide for his family.  If you ever went for a drive with Tom, you can most certainly guarantee you have heard him say “I built that house.”  Tom was an exceptionally hard worker and only did the highest quality of work with everything he built, and that includes a lot of houses.

Tom retired from Shodeen Homes after 30 years of dedication.  Even after retiring he couldn’t set his tools down, because carpentry was more than a job for him, it was his passion, so even after retirement he continued to work independently. If he wasn’t already working on a job, he would be sure to keep himself busy by finding himself projects in his children’s homes.  He was constantly giving of his time and skills to those he cared about most and never could turn down a project.  When Tom had down time, you could find him spending it with his family on his land or out on the motocross racetracks.  At home, Tom enjoyed firing up the grill and hosting his family out on his wrap around porch, sipping beer and making memories.  Tom, “Papa” was a selfless family man that always ensured that his children and grandkids were well fed and strong.  He was an excellent cook, both in the kitchen and on the grill.  He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s various sports events and was always the first guest to arrive at all of their birthday parties.  Tom was a man with strong convictions, and an even stronger work ethic, and was fiercely loyal to his family and friends.

Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 43 years, Jan  (Blakesley) Molitor, his children; Caren Olvera, Cyndi (John) Kochan, Conni Van Horn, Tina Aiello, Kass Alfredson, Kody (Jessica) Molitor, his siblings; Robert Molitor, Donald Molitor, Mary Stenson, Marge Raines, Norma Zollers, Pam Anderson, his sister-in-law Carol Molitor and his grandchildren; DJ, Lynn, Travis, Megan, Jacob, Callie, Josephine Anibal, Tanner, Katrina, Sophia, Kallen, Alex, Kasen, Jaxen, Avarie, and Graysen.

Tom has been reunited in Heaven with his parents; Peter and Myrtle Molitor, and his siblings; Shirley Thomas, Jim Molitor Sr., Patricia Molitor, Peter Molitor II, Ronald Molitor, and Donald Molitor.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 4:00pm-8:00pm at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, IL. The following day the family will hold a private funeral service followed by burial.  All are welcome to attend the burial at River Hills Memorial Park on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 11:30am., with a Celebration of Life at the VFW, 645 S. River Rd., Batavia, after the burial,  approximately 12:00-12:30 with BBQ lunch and drinks with a cash bar. Everyone who would like to attend is invited. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a group close to Tom’s heart, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate. Memorial tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can find Tom’s full life story.