"Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about." - St. Jane Frances de Chantal from The Wisdom of the Saints

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine." Isaiah 43

Thomas Joseph Schelewitz, of Hillside, Lake Carroll and recently Palos Park, passed away on April 27 at the age of 88.

Tom was born on March 8, 1935 to Rose and Ray Schelewitz. He grew up in Maywood alongside his sisters Lois and Mary, aunts, uncles, cousins and many lifelong friends. He briefly attended Quigley Seminary and graduated from Fenwick High School. After his service in the Korean War, Tom earned his degree at Northern Illinois University where he met the love of his life, Vilma Tessaro.

After seven years apart, Tom and Vil reconnected on a ski hill in Michigan and were married in 1966. They made the most beautiful home together in Hillside where they raised their three children, John, Jennifer and Susanne. Tom's devotion to Vil and his kids was unconditional, generous, and never-ending. Tom loved to take walks around the block, host backyard gatherings with family and friends and play bridge with neighbors. He was handy and was always hard at work, fixing and beautifying the home and yard. His sister Lois and brother-in-law Paul lived around the corner with their six children and the bond between the two homes gave Tom great joy. Tom was a devoted Catholic and an active parishioner at St. Domitilla in Hillside where he served as lectern and an RCIA sponsor and for years he was an active member of the Old St. Pat's parish. He was also a passionate sponsor for many years in the Cursillo Movement.

Tom found his professional home at Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) in Oak Brook where he served a dedicated accountant, mentor, friend, and manager of all unforeseen issues including geese nuisances and the threat of flooding at all hours of the day and night. Like in all aspects of his life, Tom was totally devoted to the wellbeing of the company and each of his colleagues. Even on days when he had to work late (which were many), Tom was sure to take a break for dinner at 6:00, since not a day went by that Vil didn't prepare a family meal.

In 2004 Tom retired from AED and together with Vil built their dream home in the place he considered heaven on earth: Lake Carroll. At their lake home, there were a lot of things Tom loved to do. He played golf, went fishing, took sunset boat rides and visited with friends and neighbors within the Lake Carroll and St. Wendelin church communities. For years, Tom and Vil were able to travel and spent time in Arizona as well. But, the thing Tom loved most was simply being in Lake Carroll with Vil and looking out at the beautiful views of the lake. He would have loved to stay there forever.

In February of 2021, Tom survived a stroke and he and Vil moved from Lake Carroll to live with his daughter Suzi and son-in-law Greg in Palos Park. Suzi and Greg selflessly provided a beautiful and loving home where Tom enjoyed holding Vil's hand every day, talking with friends and family on the phone, taking excursions, watching sports and having the chance to be with family. Anna and Marie Cabo and Margaret Goldrick were often there to provide delicious food, company and the occasional haircut. Along with his devoted caregivers Vicky, Anna, Karla and Carmen, Tom was loved and cared for every day.

Tom would say he was a simple man and didn't need much outside of his love of God and family to be happy. While that is true for the most part, there were some earthly pleasures in particular that he loved indulging in: salt; telling jokes; butter; skiing; donuts from Krispy Kreme; playing and watching golf; eating chicken wings from Hooters, playing his guitar, especially for Vilma; a Dutch Baby pancake drowning in butter; fishing in his own backyard; a big plate bacon and eggs; watching Notre Dame football and the Chicago Bears and White Sox; drinking strawberry lemonade from Starbucks and a bottle of Spotted Cow beer (Tom started drinking one beer most evenings only after he turned 86!); Tom also loved to work out and was so proud of the muscles, strength and endurance that he recovered since his stroke.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Vilma Schelewitz, his son John Schelewitz, his daughters Jennifer (Daniel) Gerdes and Susanne (Greg) Cabo, granddaughter Tessa Gerdes, sisters Lois (late Paul) Saner and Mary (Bob) Kissel, nieces and nephews Catherine (late Herc) Saner, Barb (Jim) Kravcik, Mary Ershbock, Kelly Shimenetto, Tom Saner, Tim (Carrie) Saner, John (Connie) Kissel, late David Kissel, Catherine (Michael) Zolezzi, Mary (Patrick) Metzger, Robert (Monica) Kissel, Nancy Nimz, Sandy Nimz, Dorothy (Howie) Peterson, Jack (Annie) Nimz and Laura (Ron) Jones. Among his many friends, Tom leaves behind his best friend since childhood, Danny Mikolitis with whom he shared countless adventures over a lifetime together.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 10am until time of funeral mass: 11am at Alexine Chapel at Nazareth Academy, 1209 Ogden Ave., LaGrange Park, IL.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph or ChildFund International . Info: 708-562-5900.