MENDOTA - Thomas Judson Smith, 83, of Mendota passed away Jan. 21, 2021 at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, Mendota after a brief illness.

A celebration of life will be planned in the near future. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

Tom was born April 11, 1937 in Oak Park to Steven and Helen (Shales) Smith. He married Phyliss Hughes on Sept. 27, 1958 in La Grange. She preceded him in death in June of 2017.

Survivors include one son, Thomas Smith Jr. and partner Dave VanDanacker; two daughters, Jana (Patrick) Trainer and Pamela (Craig) Sears; six grandchildren, Bradley, Diana, Amanda, Taylor, Samantha and Nicholas; and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; one brother, Horton Smith; and one sister, Elaine (Smith) Freetly.

Tom graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1955 then served in the U.S. Air Force until his marriage to Phyliss in 1958. He and Phyliss moved to Mendota in 1984 and Tom opened Smith’s Flower and Greenhouse and established ENP Inc., which is still in operation today. Tom enjoyed many interests outside of his work including traveling, gardening and his family, and he particularly enjoyed his golf game. All of the family golfers fondly remember the many fun and sometimes frustrating games played at the Mendota Golf Club course digging up the turf.

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.