Thomas Binge

Thomas "Tom" H. Binge, age 60, of Kaneville, passed away in the peace, love and prayers of his family, Wednesday, January 9, 2013. He is now free of the chains of cancer that bound him and his spirit now lives on in Heaven. He was born June 28, 1952, in Massillon, OH, the son of Harold and Ilene (Wright) Binge. He grew up in Massillon and attended local schools before transferring to Culver Military Academy in Culver, IN for his high school years. While at Culver, Tom was a member of the Black Horse Troop and marched in the 1968 Inaugural parade in Washington, D.C. Following his graduation in 1970, Tom continued his education at Texas Christian University and Kent State University. He also completed a course at a ferrier school where he learned to shoe horses. Tom was united in marriage to Rose Amy in 1975. Their family grew to include a son and a daughter before they parted in the late 1980’s. He was blessed to meet Cher Deckard in 1991. They were married in 1994 and have made their home in Kaneville ever since. After he finished his education, Tom found work at a horse farm in Ohio for a short time before moving to California where he worked as a manager for Kinney Shoes. He eventually returned to his first love, horses and worked for R.J. Singer who owned a polo pony farm. When the entire operation relocated to Kane County, Tom and his growing family moved to Illinois. He continued to work on the grounds of the polo farm for three years before beginning a 34 year career with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union #501. Tom was a lifelong member of the Sugar Grove American Legion Post #1271. Tom was a man with a thousand talents. A lover of animals, he had a special connection to animals of all sizes but especially with the equine variety. He was a true horse whisperer and could ride a horse backwards faster and better than most could ride forward. He loved his vegetable garden and was proud to share it with friends, family, or many times, just brush off the dirt and have a snack right there in his own backyard. He also enjoyed playing Frisbee, woodworking and making candles. When it came to music, Tom’s heart beat for his beloved Beatles and other classic rock icons. Tom loved to "drum" along with the music. Tom had a gift for painting houses, finishing his own in only a few days, (a feat he accomplished many times throughout his life including the days following his diagnosis.) His love for boating was developed in childhood when he spent his summers lakeside in both Ohio and Canada. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 21 years, Cher; two children: Christy (Brandon) Kline and their children: Casey, Jacob and Tanner; Richard Thomas (Liz) Binge and their children: Tyler, Alex and Emma; one sister, Diane Binge Kirkwood; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a community of friends that will never forget him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ilene Binge and one brother, James Binge. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m., Sunday, January 13, 2013, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral to celebrate his life will be held Monday, also at the funeral home, at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial checks may be made to the "Fox Valley Wildlife Center" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 385, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes may be forwarded to www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m., Sunday, January 13, 2013, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral to celebrate his life will be held Monday, also at the funeral home, at 11 a.m.

With interment to follow at Kaneville Cemetery.