Wayne Tomlinson

Wayne Tomlinson’s Obituary

The Schuyler County Spreader…Final Edition

Wayne Tomlinson, 89, of Rushville, passed away at 11:06 AM, Saturday, July 11, 2020 at his home surrounded by his children.

Wayne was born at home on January 15, 1931 in Schuyler County, Illinois, the son of D.M. and Florence Ella (Walker) Tomlinson.  Wayne and his nine siblings (Grace Marie (Gracie), Robert Morris (Tommy), Jessie Leroy (Orvie), Glen Eddie (Polecat), Dorothy (Dottie), Gerald (Honker), Anna Lee (Annie), John Paul (JP) and Marilyn ) (Wayne referred to himself as the “oldest of the second five”) were raised at 125 East Clinton St. in Rushville, a home that is still used for gatherings of the 150+descendants of D.M. and Florence.
“Dummer” was given 32,685 days on this earth and used them all to complete the tasks he took on as he served his family and community
He married Frances Decker on September 2, 1954, in Champaign, Illinois. She preceded him in death on March 1, 2015.

He later married Gloria (Dee Dee) Workman Law on November 3, 1979, in Rushville.  She preceded him in death in November 13, 2018.

Surviving are three sons Rick L. Law and wife Rosemary of Oswego, Craig Tomlinson and wife Lynn, and Brian Tomlinson wife Tanya (she just made it!!!) all of Rushville, three daughters Jean Kloker and husband Norm and Cathryn Tomlinson all of Rushville, Patti Kay Hendon of St. Louis, one stepdaughter Kristiann Marie Okoye and husband Innocent of Naperville, twenty grandchildren Michael Okoye, Rose Okoye and companion Jeff Bierman, Melinda Okoye, Adam Law and wife Amanda, Diana Dore and husband Bob, Catherine Law and husband Brandon Dickert, and Ethan Law and wife Taylor, Grant Kloker and wife Megan, Rebecca Kloker and fiancé Justin Jansen, Matthew Hendon and wife Heather, Nicholas Hendon and wife Erin, Jordan Williams and wife Brenna, Ryan Williams, Alek President, Leah President, Abigail Frances Tomlinson, Mackenzie Malcomson and husband Billy, Michael Tomlinson, Andrew Tomlinson and Grace Tomlinson, nineteen great grandchildren Nevlyn, Olivia, Finley, Daphne and Phoebe Law, Lucy and Evan Jarot, Aiden, Nyah, Lena and David Kloker, Alexander, Allison and Charlotte Hendon, Benjamin, Levi, and Joshua Williams and Brantlee and Elliott Malcomson, two brothers Glen E. Tomlinson and wife Gale of Bloomington and Jesse Leroy “Orvie” of Apple Springs, Texas, one sister Marilyn Lewis of Thousand Oaks, California and many many friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews.  He is preceded in death by one stepson, Kim Law; one stepdaughter, Debra Law; and one son-in-law, Jack Hendon, three brothers Morris Tomlinson, John Paul “JP” Tomlinson and Gerald Tomlinson, and three sisters Anna Lee Phillips, Marie Bayles and Dorothy M. Walker.

A 1949 Rushville High School graduate, Wayne served in the U.S. Navy as a Sea Bee during the Korean War era. He was stationed in Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Port Hueneme Oxnard California, and in Newfoundland Canada during his enlistment. Enlisted in November of 1951 at Great lakes Naval Base, Honorably discharged in September 1953 at Quonset RI He earned the National Defense Service Medal

He finished college, graduating from the University of Illinois in 1958, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy.

In his youth, he worked for the family business ”Tomlinson Trucking”  Wayne like all of his brothers were driving trucks, all had stories of driving truckloads of materials before they were ten years old.  “We’ll haul anything that’s loose” was their slogan that was printed on the Tomlinson Trucking checks with the phone number “520”

He worked at the Federal Land Bank in Watseka IL from 1958 to 1962, when he returned to Rushville to operate the family business after his father DM had medical setbacks.

Tomlinson Trucking and Soil became Tomlinson Fertilizer. “We’ve been in business since fertilizer was a four letter word” and the Schuyler County Spreader were slogans posted on the familiar white trucks with yellow and blue stripes.  A long list of workers passed through his shop doors over the years tackling a litany of work from custom fertilizer application, well water hauling, anhydrous ammonia delivery and application, to house moving. There were always things that needed done until closing the doors in 1982.

Wayne Tomlinson Real Estate and Appraisals in Rushville opened in 1976 until he retired in 2015. Wayne was a State Certified General Appraiser, which was and exceptional qualification. He was licensed to appraise real estate from the smallest lot to large commercial properties and farm ground.

Wayne was a long time member of Rushville Rotary and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rushville.

Early on, Wayne was involved with the committee to purchase the land that was to be developed into Schuy-Rush Lake.

Wayne, along with others, was a driving force in obtaining and restoring the Phoenix Opera House in Rushville.  He would continue to serve on the board and volunteer at the Phoenix.

He believed in hard work and the rewards that followed.  He was well known for his professionalism and was sought out for his advice and wisdom.  His sense of humor was also a hallmark of his character.   Many will tell you of humorous phases and anecdotes he would use for almost any situation.   When asked in his last few days “How are you doing today?” Wayne said “I’ve been worse.”

He was passionate about Rushville and Schuyler County and its history.

He fiercely loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00PM, Saturday, July 18, 2020, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020, at 10:00am. We will gather at the Family house, 125 East Clinton Street “Under the Big Tree” with Lyn Mounce officiating. Friends and family alike are welcome to attend and share thoughts and memories.  Interment will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery with military honors.

Memorials are suggested to the Cass Schuyler Hospice, 331 S. Main St. Virginia, IL 62691 or the Phoenix Opera House, PO Box 15, Rushville, Il, 62681.