Thomas W. Heinen, age 78, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away at 9:35 p.m. Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at St. Bonaventure Cemetery in rural St. Elmo, Illinois. Father Marek Kasperczuk will be officiating. Memorials may go to St. Elmo Food Pantry, St. Elmo Historical Society or donor's choice.

Thomas was born on July 28, 1937 in Racine, Wisconsin, the son of William Joseph and Ethel Elizabeth (Mandernach) Heinen. He was a member of the St. Elmo Business Association, St. Elmo Historical Society and the I.A.M. Lodge #34 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He retired from Chrysler in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He enjoyed woodworking, everything about nature, and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Cavalieri of St. Elmo, Illinois; four daughters, Barbara Rober of Wisconsin, Marianne Greenwald (husband Randy) of Wisconsin, Kris Olson (husband Kevin) of Beecher City, Illinois and Kim Bitto of Wisconsin; one son, Jeff Heinen of Wisconsin; 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ethel Heinen; son, Steven Cavalieri and sister-in-law, Donna Windhorst.