PEORIA - Thomas F. “Tom” Gibson, 83, passed away at his Peoria home at 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2012.

Tom was born November 22, 1928 in Peoria to Thomas Phillip and Hazel Bridgette (Fostbender) Gibson. He married Phyllis J. Ferguson on July 24, 1954 at St. John Catholic Church, Peoria. She survives him. Also surviving are one sister Dolores (Ed) Klein and four brothers John (Camille), Don (Dot), Dave, Pat all of Peoria. He was preceded in death by this parents and younger brother Joe.

Tom was a wonderful family man and grand dad. He and Phyllis raised seven children who survive him – Sharon Moravec of Chattanooga, TN; Cathie (John) Stenger of Peoria; Linda (Bill) Fogle of Lebanon, IN; Tom (Becky) Gibson of Peoria; Mary of Bartlett, TN; Fred (Thao) Gibson of Liberty Township, OH; and Therese of Bartlett, TN. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren…and one great-grandchild on the way.

Tom served 21 years in the United States Marine Corps retiring in 1971. He served in the Korean War and Vietnam War. He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon and Bronze Star with Combat “V”. He was life member of the D.A.V. and 1st Marine Division Association, as well as a member of the Fleet Marine Reserve Association and a proud member of the N.R.A. Tom continued his public service with the Illinois Veteran’s Commission Office and with the United States Post Office, from where he retired in 1992.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2012 at Wright & Salmon Mortuary with the Rosary at 6:45pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 10 a.m. with an additional visitation 30 minutes prior to the Mass. Msgr. Paul Showalter will officiate. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. American Legion Post #2 Honor Guard will perform military rites.

Special thanks to the wonderful and compassionate caregivers at the Illinois Cancer Center, OSF St. Francis Medical Center, OSF Hospice and Circle of Life HomeCare.

Donations in Tom’s memory can be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.