Richard Thomas Stonecipher

NAME Richard Thomas "Tom" Stonecipher, age 60, of Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Montgomery, IL, passed away suddenly Sunday, June 21, 2009. BORN: He was born January 26, 1949, the son of Virgil and Margaret (Miller) Stonecipher in Aurora, IL. EARLY YEARS:He grew up in Elburn and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneland High School in 1968. MARRIAGE: Tom married his high school sweetheart, Dianne Carnell on July 26, 1969 at Grace Lutheran Church in Lily Lake, IL. They began their new life together in Aurora on Lake St. While Tom began working for Caterpillar, Dianne worked for AT&T. Tom was a dedicated employee and became Inspector before his retirement in 1992, six years after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1986.RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: In 1974, Tom and Dianne bought a house in Montgomery. They would make their home and raise their children there until 2004 when they moved to Ft. Myers, FL. MEMBERSHIPS: Tom was a proud member of the National MS Society. LIFE NOTES: Tom was never much of a planner; he preferred to live life day by day with two exceptions. When he found his soul mate Dianne early in life, he didn’t hesitate to make her his wife, and when it came to completing his family with a daughter, Tom never left things to chance and became the best father he could be. Over the years he coached Marla’s Sugar and Spice softball team and walked beside her during every step of her life. Tom was also a sport enthusiast. From the Earnhardt boys of NASCAR, Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan to the Chicago Bears and his favorite baseball team the Chicago Cubs, Tom could be counted among their biggest fans. He enjoyed taking rides on his golf cart and working out at the gym. Tom also loved to volunteer, spending time between the stacks as a Volunteer Librarian at the Pelican Preserve Library in Florida. He always had his eye on the new gadget or car and never hesitated to push his "want-button" that never was very far away. No matter what, Tom was never happier than when in the company of his loving wife Dianne, his daughter Marla whom he adored, and his cat Sweetie who not only made a home in his lap but in his heart. Although Tom was only given sixty years to live his life, no one could have lived better, loved more, or made the type of memories that span generations.SURVIVORS: He now leaves his loving wife Dianne, His daughter Marla (Jeff) Benelli of Minneapolis, MN,Four sisters:Debbie Dorneden of Montgomery, IL, Diana White of Arizona,Marlene (Curt) Zanardi of St. Charles and Marilyn (Chuck) Shanholtzer of Panama City, FL;One brother, Bill (Marilyn) Hardt of Naperville, IL,His mother Clara Stonecipher of Elburn, Many nieces and nephews and a family of friends from Illinois to Florida. PRECEDED:He was preceded by his father Virgil, his birth mother Margaret, and one nephew, John Paul Dorneden, who died in infancy. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Family and friends are encouraged to come and share memories and stories of Tom during a Remembrance Service to celebrate his life following visitation at 5 p.m. Private family services and interment will occur at a later date. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name to benefit Hope Hospice and the National MS Society. Checks may be made to the "Richard Stonecipher Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3-5 at the funeral home with a Memory Service to be held at 5:00.

Private Family Commital Services