Thomas Donald Schermerhorn, age 79, died on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at his home with his family by his side. He was born on March 18, 1932 in Rochelle, IL, the son of Frank William and Margaret Mae Boyden Schermerhorn. He grew up in Rochelle and Chicago, served in the US Marine Corp., and learned the plastering trade from his father at a young age, working in their family business. He continued using his expertise in his trade throughout his life living in Florida and Texas before returning to Rochelle this past year. Tom enjoyed fishing, trap shooting and auto repair and racing. He is preceded by his parents, 2 brothers: Frank "Sonny" and Robert Schermerhorn, and sister: Jean Oleson.

He is survived by his beloved: Judith A. Schermerhorn of Rochelle, and 6 children: Thomas D. Schermerhorn, Jr.; Theodore N. Schermerhorn; Cindy (Thomas) Moffitt; Nancy (Paul) Davis; Janet (Randy Roberts) Harvey; and Lawrence Schermerhorn; brother: William (Sharon) Schermerhorn, Sr.; 13 grandchildren: Michael Pankratz, Rudy Pankratz, Jessica (Ernie) Lilliebriedige, Sarah (Keagan) Ege, Joy (Nicholas) Dertinger, Chantel Davis, Paul J. Davis, Tiffany (Jeremy) Jones, Ryan Harvey, Aaron Harvey, Nathaniel, Zachary and Nicholas Schermerhorn, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Rochelle with the Rev. Dr. James A. Tilley officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 am on Saturday prior to the memorial service.
Burial of his cremated remains will follow at the Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.