THOMAS KLIORA

Thomas Kliora, age 81, of Johnston City, IL, went home with Jesus on Monday, November 8, 2021 .  Tom was born on June 4,1940 in Waukegan, Illinois to Mamarth Peter "Duke" & Myrtle Ruth Kliora.

Tom joined the United States Marine Corps in 1957, and received an honorable discharge with good conduct in 1963. He told everyone the Marines changed his life.  After the Marines, he married Donna Jacobson and had 3 girls, Charlene, Andrea & Shawna.  Years later he married Karen Cramer & shared 4 more children, Danny, Marc, Susie & Amy.  Anyone who knew Tom knows his children were his pride & joy & his reason for living.

In 1979, Tom relocated his family to Goreville, Illinois.  He attended Goreville 1 ^st Baptist Church & worked for Volunteer Services.  He then enjoyed several years at the Lake of Egypt, before choosing to become a co-owner of Southern Construction Services.  He moved to Marion, Illinois & did carpentry until he retired in Johnston City, Illinois.

Tom was a proud supporter of our Military and the men & women who bravely chose to give their lives for our freedoms. He teased anyone who joined any branch other than the Marines that he could whoop them & if given the chance, he would've tried.

Tom liked watching the Chicago Cubs, motorcycle riding, hunting & fishing, but his greatest pleasure came from being around his grandkids.  He dedicated his life to being in their lives as much as possible.  Anyone who knew Tom, also knew all his kids and grandkids. He always had cookies waiting for them on his table.

To know Tom, is to know his love for his family; 7 children - Charlene (Garry) Siwula, Andrea Kliora, Danny Podobnik, Shawna (Mike) Eubanks, Marc Kliora, Susie (Michael) Smith & Koka Kliora; 12 grandchildren - Ashley, Matt, Thomas, Tony, Troy, Amanda, Megan, Josh, Nicholas, Noah, Jordan & Alex; 11 great-grandchildren - Adeline, Lillian, Bodhi, Jovie, Sophie, Alayna, Ariana, Alex, Caleb, Zella & Isaac.  Tom had 2 brothers, Jimmy & Teddy, and 2 nephews, Freddy (Mary) & Jimmy Kliora.  Tom had many of his kids & grandkids friends thru the years that he considered as family.  He was preceded in death by his Father, Mother, Brother & grandson.

Tom chose to be cremated.  There will be a Memorial Service at Murman-Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City on Saturday November 13, 2021 from 2:00 P.M. to 4 P.M. with military rites conducted by the Marion V.F.W. American Legion, and the Marine Burial Honor's Team followed by a Celebration of Life at the Marion American Legion.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff of the Marion VAMC, especially the Community Living Center.