John Thomas Gannon

John Thomas "Tom" Gannon, 85, of Burlington passed away Monday afternoon, March 12, 2018 in Sycamore. He was born July 30, 1932 in Colfax, Iowa the son of Edward and Mary (Ryan) Gannon. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War. Tom married Mary Jo Howerter on Sept. 8, 1956 at the St. John Catholic Church in Des Moines, IA and they farmed in Mingo, Iowa for 5 years. He also graduated from Iowa State University in 1958. Tom and Mary Jo moved to West Chicago where they lived for nearly 20 years before moving to the Mushroom farm in Burlington in 1986. Tom was the Director of Mushroom Production for 30 years with the Campbell Soup Co. retiring in 1995.

Tom was an active member of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Hampshire where he was a past choir member, and a member of Cursillo, and Light of the World. He was also a charter member of the Knights of Columbus chapter and helped start the AA group at the church. He very much enjoyed gardening, fishing and woodworking.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Jo; 6 children, David '77 (Christine), Erin '78 (Bruce) Oates, Alan '79 (Kristi), Kevin '81 (Peggy), Gary '82 (Trish), and Maureen (Joe) Gannon; 19 grandchildren; and 1 great-granddaughter; a brother, Donald (Dorothy); and a sister-in-law, Jen Gannon. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Stephen '75; three brothers, Paul, Edward "Joe", and Larry, and a sister, Alice Woods.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Lenz Addiction Counseling Center, 1 American Way, Elgin, IL 60120 or to St. Charles Borromeo School (Gardening Program).