Thomas 'Tom' Marvin Gher

Thomas Tom Marvin Gher, age 93, of Champaign, Illinois passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021. He was born in Carbondale, Illinois on March 5, 1927 to Louis and Lena (Young) Gher. He was raised in Carbondale and graduated from Carbondale High School in 1945. He met his wife, Anne (Trobaugh) Gher in Carbondale and they were married December 21, 1952. They went on to raise 3 children, Linda, Leah, and Tommy. Tom was a driven individual who served in the US Army and dedicated his life to education and athletics. He earned his bachelors degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). He also played football and basketball for SIUC and was a member of the 1946 NAIA National Basketball Championship Team. He went on to study at the University of Illinois Urbana where he earned his masters degree. His teaching and coaching career took him to Goreville HS, Carbondale JHS, Metropolis HS, Malden HS, Urbana JHS, and Champaign Central HS where he remained until his retirement. His decades in education through teaching, administration and coaching are times he always spoke proudly of and passed along the many lessons he learned to his children and grandchildren. He met so many people throughout his career who became life-long friends to both he and Anne. He had so many fond memories of times spent with his friends at their local favorites, including Village Inn, Boomerang's Bar & Grill, and Old Orchard Lanes. He also enjoyed golf and spent many years of his retirement as a Starter and Ranger at the University of Illinois Golf Course. Tom loved so much in his 93 years. He showed it in his own way - through his tight hugs, his firm handshake, and the way he listened and offered advice. He made time for everyone and never knew a stranger. He always had a joke to tell. Tom was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved the way sports brought people together. Dancing, music and reading were favorite pastimes as well. He was a loving son, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was one of a kind. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Lena Gher. Surviving are Tom's wife of 68 years, Anne Gher; children Linda Gher of Champaign, Leah (Tracy) Stickels of Mahomet, & Thomas A. (Joella) Gher of Champaign; grandchildren Nicole (Cory) Haltiwanger, Robert (Katie) Stickels, Jaime Broom, Ashley (Joel) Harms, & Joel (Sarah) Gher; and great-grandchildren Ava Haltiwanger, Harper & Aiden Stickels and Riley Harms. The family of Thomas M. Gher would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Senior Living, Urbana IL and Transitions Hospice for the love, support and care of Tom and our family during his illness and passing. There will be no services at this time due to COVID restrictions. His final resting place will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois. Arrangements were handled by Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Champaign, Illinois 710 N Neil St. Champaign, Illinois 61820. Please join his family in sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com