THOMAS MICHAEL PALOVIC

Johnston City–Thomas Michael Palovic, 94, of Johnston City passed away surrounded by his loving family at 11:55 P.M. on Wednesday, September 25, 2013.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 28, 2013, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Johnston City with Father Robert Flannery and Father Richard Mohr officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery of Johnston City. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M to 11:00 A.M. at the Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Marion V.F.W., American Legion, and the Illinois Army National Guard.

Thomas Michael Palovic – Born on August, 21, 1919. Tom was first and foremost a family man. He loved his family more than anything, and lived his entire life for them.
Tom was born in Michigan and raised in Johnston City, Illinois. He proudly served his country in the Army, Navy and Coast Guard in World War II and the Korean War. He served for 20 years and was stationed in several locations in each of the European, Atlantic, and Pacific theaters, and retired as a Master Sergeant. The vast and wonderful stories he would tell about his service showed his deep love and respect for his country and fellow servicemen, who called him Mike.

Tom was a member of the Knights of Columbus, served with the CCC Camps, and was a life-long member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Johnston City where he served as an usher for almost 40 years.

After retiring from the military, he settled back in Johnston City where he built a wonderful life and beautiful family, and cared for them with all his heart. He is survived by his devoted and beautiful wife, Lenora, and two loving daughters, Donna and Lisa; four grandchildren, Danny, Cathy, Ryan, and Emma; two sons-in-law, Steve and Ty; two step-grandchildren, Michael and Michelle; an "adopted son" Muhib Khan; a sister-in-law, Christine Pavlovic; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by 8 siblings and his mother-in-law, Maria Zanini, whom he cared for in his home as his own mother.

Tom loved going to Mass and loved God deeply, and through that, he loved people. He never met anyone with whom he couldn't strike up a conversation. Every place he went, he seemed to pick up a new friend. Wherever he went, he was sure to see an old friend. He was a man who could do anything he set his mind to – raise cattle, build furniture, fix anything that was broken, and clear 40 acres of wooded land by himself. He was known for his big smile, white cap, and a hand-shake strong enough to bring any grown man to his knees, up until the end.

Tom always said, "Go while you can!" And he did just that. He always had a joke to tell, loved to hear them, and had a thousand sayings that kept us laughing. He loved life, loved his family, loved to be on the go, loved to eat, and loved God.

He will always be missed. He will never be forgotten.