Thomas Jerome McKula passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. Tom was born on March 4, 1931, in Campbell, OH. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Campbell Memorial High School in 1949, and he went on to attend Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. He later graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in Pharmacy from The Ohio State University in 1951, as well as the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh in 1959.

Tom was a member of the United States Air Force and served from 1955-1958 at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS and at Howard Air Force Base (formerly Albrook Air Force Station) in the Panama Canal Zone. He later served in the US Air Force Reserves and achieved the rank of Captain.

Tom worked in the field of healthcare throughout his career. He served as the Assistant Administrator at Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee, WI (1960-1969), Administrator at Glendale Nursing Home in Glendale, WI (1969-1971), Assistant Administrator at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville, IL (1971-1976), and Administrator at Thomas Boyd Memorial Hospital / Reisch Memorial Nursing Home in Carrollton, IL (1976-1994).

Tom was a civic-minded citizen of Jacksonville of Illinois, and he loved his community. He served on many boards and committees over the years. He was involved with the Illinois Hospital Association, Illinois Health Care Association, Illinois Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Illinois School for the Deaf, Jacksonville Historical Society Museum, Bob Freesen YMCA of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, and he was very active in Our Saviour Catholic Church in Jacksonville.

Tom was preceded in death by the love of his life, Neva (nee Bower) McKula. He is survived by his children, Sue McSherry (Bob) of Hanover Park, IL, TJ McKula (Melanie) of Great Falls, VA, and Tim McKula of Chicago, IL; his grandchildren Betsy Wright (Adam) of Urbana, IL, Emilie Loellke (Ryan) of Leavenworth, KS, Trey McKula of Washington D.C., Lindsey McKula of Cleveland, OH, Ava McKula of Long Island City, NY, and Spencer McKula of Boston, MA; and his great-grandchildren Delaney Wright, Grayson Wright, and Nolen Loellke.

Tom was a quick-witted, independent, and proud person who lived life on his own terms and forged his own path. He was curious and enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and reading, often visiting the Jacksonville Public Library to peruse multiple newspapers. Throughout his married life, he loved Neva dearly and always wanted to be by her side.

Services will be announced in the future.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Saviour Catholic Church or Jacksonville Kiwanis Club.