Thomas Ivan Kraemer

Thomas Ivan Kraemer, 87, of Hutsonville, IL, died September 12, 2021, in the comfort of his home following a period of declining health. He was born August 27, 1934, in Hutsonville, the son of Ralph & Mary E. (Kennedy) Kraemer. Tom was a lifelong resident of Hutsonville. His first job was as a shoeshine boy for barber Dean Clough, who was also his Boy Scout leader. He also cleaned the Farmers and Merchants Bank in his youth, and after class, spent much of his high school years working at the Musgrave Hardware and Plumbing Store. Following his graduation from Hutsonville High School in 1952, Tom joined the Navy, specializing in electronics on the LST-1171 and the USS Essex-CVA-9 that sailed around Cape Horn. Following his honorable discharge, Tom came back home and found employment with the Robinson Sheet Metal Company as a journeyman plumber. He worked on heating and air conditioning as well. On June 24, 1961, he married Kay Ann Cockcroft. They were, by all accounts, lifelong companions and partners in all things. Together, they took on Sunnyside, a historic home north of Hutsonville, and worked hard to bring it to its former glory. So grand was the renovation that their effort was recognized by a spread in Country Living Magazine! He and Kay were charter members of the Hutson Cabins Historical Society and took part in many of the original pageants. They even went into business together, starting Kraemer's Vending in 1971. They also owned and operated the car wash and laundromat in Hutsonville and opened a laundromat in Robinson as well. Though Tom was known for his other-worldly work ethic, he also knew how to enjoy himself. He and Kay would winter in Florida for over 25 years, finding a home away from home on St. George Island. Here, they would spend time with many good friends, and it could only be assumed that Tom played more than a couple of rounds of golf! Back home, he and Kay spent countless hours boating and skiing on the Wabash River. They enjoyed boating so much, in fact, that they became members of the Boat Club and would later donate the club's land to the Hutsonville Township Park District. This speaks to his devotion to his community, as does his track record of involvement with other area organizations. He was a longtime member of the Hutsonville Park District Board, serving as the president for many years. He was also a staple of the Hutsonville Township Fire Department Board and was a 50+ year member of the American Legion Post #742. The Kraemers financially supported these and many other organizations in Hutsonville, including the Hutsonville Public Library and Hutsonville High School, with whom they established a scholarship fund for HHS graduates. It could be said that his blood ran orange, as he was a proud alumnus of Hutsonville High School, to the point that he and Kay put together the Class of 1952's 50th Reunion Book and looked forward to their annual summer reunions. Tom Kraemer lived a rich, fulfilling life. He lived it deliberately, recognizing the value of each moment, and the result was excellence. Though he was known to do things "his way", more often than not, his way was right! Tom's community is better because of him, and we who are left behind are forever thankful for the generosity of spirit with which he lived. He is survived by his sister, Helen Huston (Orange, CA); by his brother & sister-in-law, Ralph & Denise Kraemer (Plainfield, IN); by several nieces and nephews; as well as numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph & Mary Kraemer; by his wife, Kay Kraemer on September 18, 2010; by his sister & brother-in-law, Jeanette & Larry Anderson; by his brother & sister-in-law, Jack L. & Barbara Kraemer; by his brother-in-law, Robert Huston; as well as one niece and one nephew. It was Tom's wish to be cremated without public services. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of arrangements. In honor of his years of work on the Fire Department Board, memorials may be made to the "Hutsonville Township Fire Department". Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.