Thomas Zachary

Thomas Joseph Zachary, 85, of Ottawa passed away peacefully at 11:50pm on March 26 at Heritage Health in Streator.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am, Friday, March 31 at St. Patrick's Church with Father Tony Fevlo officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7pm, Thursday, March 30 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with the Knights of Columbus 4th degree in attendance. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery.

Thomas was born April 1, 1931 and raised by his loving parents Charles L. and Mary Elizabeth (Funk) Zachary. He married Eileen Slingsby on June 26, 1954 at St. Mary's Church in Utica.

Thomas was a lifetime farmer in the Grand Ridge area. He was a member of the LaSalle County Farm Bureau, Starved Rock Council Knights of Columbus, Starved Rock Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus - Uniform Corp, Central States Threshermen, J.I. Case Collectors, Teamsters Local 722, Midwest Truckers Association and a charter member of Ottawa High School FFA. Thomas was also a charter member of LaSalle County Township Officials and Treasurer for LaSalle County Officials for 52 years. He was a Farm Ridge Township Trustee for 52 years and a Democrat Precinct Committeeman for 25 years.

In 1948, Thomas founded Charles L. Zachary & Son trucking company with his father. He later incorporated his sons into the business in 1978 to form Thomas J. Zachary & Sons, Inc where he was currently Secretary and Treasurer. Throughout his career, Thomas held positions as a Mechanic at Diamond T Garage, a Teamster with J.P. Wetherby Co., a Maintenance Patrolman at IDOT, and spent 27 years as a Foreman at Farmers Grain Service in Grand Ridge.

He is survived by his wife; three sons, Robert (Patrice), Michael Sr. (Debbie) and William (Jody) Zachary; two daughters, Mary Ellen Grubar and Katheryn Zachary; 11 grandchildren, Daniel (Brianne Justice) Zachary, Amanda (Casey) Ocepek, Stacey (Darren) Bragg, Michael (Amanda) Zachary Jr., Kelly Zachary, Tyler Zachary, William (Apryl McDermott) Kozlowski, Mary (Michael Jr) Martin, James (Alicia) Kozlowski, Matthew (Lauren) Kozlowski and John (Kellie Phelps) Kozlowski; and several great-grandchildren.

Thomas was a devout Catholic serving as a Church usher for many years at St. Columba and later at St. Patrick’s parishes. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends who relied on him for his entertaining stories and vast knowledge of local history.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws and a son-in-law, Dale Grubar.

Pallbearers will be James McGraw, Mark Katcher, Ralph R. Klein, John “Jack” Soulsby, Joe Soulsby and James “Bud” Naughton Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Lynn Stisser, Verlyn “Gus” Rinker and Larry Schell.

Memorials may be directed to Grand Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and St Patrick’s Church.