Thomas M. Smolkovich

October 30, 1929 - November 29, 2021

Thomas M. Smolkovich, age 92, of Herscher, passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 at Miller Healthcare Center in Kankakee. He was born October 30, 1929 in Essex, the son of Ignac & Anna Munich Smolkovich. Thomas married Nina Horner on November 26, 1960 in Cedar Lake, IN. He has been a farmer all his life. He also worked for A.O. Smith for 17 years, retiring in 1988. He enjoyed farming, gardening, spending time with family, and taking his grandchildren on tractor rides. He was a member of the Herscher American Legion and VFW. He was a parishioner of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Herscher. Thomas was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean Conflict. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Nina Smolkovich of Herscher; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Jr. & Allison Smolkovich of Herscher; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Miriam & Thomas Maass of Kankakee and Lisa & Steve Burton of Kankakee; eight grandchildren, Rachel Maass (Andy Lopez), Lauren (Trevor) Baron, Dylan Smolkovich, Ryan Smolkovich, Haley (Zach) Mau, Tessa Smolkovich, Andrew (Joanna) Burton, Kyle Burton (fiancée Maddy Lewis); one great-grandchild, Monti Burton; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Anna Lutgen of Schererville, IN, Josephine Sepich of Joliet, and Rose & Francis Ahern of Herscher; one brother and sister-in-law, John & Diane Smolkovich of Cabery; and numerous nieces and nephews. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, George, Carl, Edward, and Daniel; and two sisters, Margaret Kauzarlic and Agnes (John) Muren. Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Schreffler Funeral Home in Kankakee. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Herscher. Rev. Ron Neitzke will celebrate the Mass. Interment will follow at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Herscher. Memorials may be made to Uplifted Care.