Thomas Lewis Pemberton, age 75, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 7, 2024, at his home.
He was born September 20, 1948, in Effingham, the son of William Laverne and Leona Marie (Hamilton) Pemberton. He was united in marriage to Maria Elena “Button” Schoonover on October 31, 1975, in Louisville, and together they shared 46 wedding anniversaries until her passing on April 29, 2022.
Tom served in the U.S. Army, 97th Engineers stationed in Stuttgart, Germany during the Vietnam war era. He had worked as a plumbing contractor, owning and operating Pemberton Plumbing & Construction, and had been a past owner and operator of East End Liquors in Flora. Tom enjoyed woodworking and designing and building furniture. Along with his son Chad, and other family members, Tom built a log cabin from discarded telephone poles in the woods close to the Little Wabash River which provided many precious memories of family gatherings, deer hunting, and cookouts with family and friends. He was a lifetime member of the Flora American Legion Post 14, and had served as past Commander. Spending time with
his special companions, his fur babies Scrappy, Twinkie, and Fred the cat always brough him great joy.
He is survived by his children: Jami Marie (Tony) Gibbons of Louisville, Jacki Michele Sehie of Flora, Chad (Deana) Pemberton of Flora, and William Christopher (Alicia) Wildbur of Edgewood; grandchildren: Jenifer (Brandon) Gibbons of Flora, Jason Gibbons of Flora, Gabriel (Kelsey) Gibbons of Louisville, Mackenzi Windle of Flora, Bart Briscoe of Flora, Sydney (Mason) Rudolphi of Noble, Dallas Mulvaney, Teagan (Zeb) Pemberton of Johnsonville, Brian Pemberton of Flora, Bailey (Marcus) Fleming of Olney, Jayden Fleming of Olney, and Halli Stanley of Flora; great-grandchildren: Eli Schnepper, Elena Powless, Alexa, Mariah, and Zaine Gibbons, Ethan, Emma, Aaron, and Anderson (A.J.) Gibbons, Avery Henderson, Reese Briscoe, Kaisley Robinson, Aroliegh Weems; great-great-grandchildren: Brynnli and Brysyn; brother-in-law: Ed (Dena) McCracken Sr. of Clay City; sister-in-law: Donna Schoonover of St. Louis, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Button Pemberton; sons: David Arrah Pickel-Pemberton and
Michael Wade Pickel; son-in-law: Michael Sehie; 2 sisters: Vicki Sue McCracken and Janet Fay England; 2 brothers-in-law: Larry England and William “Bill” Leo Schoonover.
A graveside ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery in Flora. Military funeral honors will be presented at 1 p.m. followed by a Masonic service and a committal ceremony officiated by John England. Those attending are asked to arrive directly at the cemetery. Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Cancer Crusaders, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
