Thomas Peter Vander Sanden

Thomas Peter Vander Sanden, age 88, of Tinley Park, IL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at his home for the last year, Smith Crossing. Tom was born in Harrison, Wisconsin, on February 16, 1937 to Martin and Alida (Swan) Vander Sanden. He earned his degree in engineering from Wausau Technical College and moved to Tinley Park, IL to begin work as a mechanical engineer. He was a devoted and active member of St. George Catholic Church and especially enjoyed his work on the Parish Council. Tom's life was defined by devotion to his family, his friends and his faith.

Tom was preceded in death by Carol his loving wife of fifty-nine years, siblings Margaret (John) Loka, Alice (Robert) Hoogervorst, Lorraine (George) Wieznicker, Bernice Anzia, Martin (Judith) Vander Sanden, John Vander Sanden and brothers-in-law Ken Behling, Robert Hespen.

 Tom is survived by his children - Scott (Susie), Ellen (Ravi), Cheryl (John), Jean, Karen (Sam), and Steven (Meaghan), grandchildren - Erik, Melissa (Chelsea), Emily, Maya, Ian, Taylor (Daniel), James, Grace, Elliot, Alia, and Jacob, great grandchildren Caroline and Oliver, his siblings Mary Ann Behling, and Carl (Leona) Vander Sanden, sisters-in-law Jean Hespen, LaVerne (Bill) Duncan, Delores Vander Sanden and brother-in-law Ronald Anzia.

Funeral Mass, Monday, August 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Church, 6707 175th St. Tinley Park, IL 60477. Interment will follow at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Orland Park, IL. Visitation, Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 S. Harlem Ave. Tinley Park, IL 60477. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to St. George Catholic Church, Tinley Park https://stgeorge60477.org/ , the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/ or a charity of your choice. For more information (708) 532-1635 or www.vandenbergfuneralhome.com