- Date Of Birth: June 26, 1926
- Date Of Death: July 4, 2010
- State: Illinois
Thomas Louis Mussatto, 84, of Jacksonville, died Sunday, July 4, 2010 at his residence.
He was born June 26, 1926 in South Standard, IL the son of Louis and Pearl Gaddo Mussatto. He married Marilee Barkley in 1946 and later married Vivian Lynch Bonjean on July 4, 1969 and she survives.
He is also survived by two sons, Thomas, Jr. (Sue) of Worden, IL and Mike (Pat) of Chapin; two daughters, Susan (Mostyn) Prosser of Jacksonville and Patricia “Trish” (Mike) Halsne of Chapin; four stepchildren, Robert, Jr. (Carolyn) Bonjean, Michael (Susan) Bonjean, Richard “Dick” (companion, Sandy Sieving) Bonjean, all of Jacksonville and Patrick (Sharon) Bonjean of Franklin; nine grandchildren, Luke Mussatto, Lori Miller, Aaron Glossop, Amanda Webb, Matt Smith, Mykel Mussatto, Micah Mussatto, Alec and Chase Halsne; twelve step-grandchildren, Robert Bonjean III, Chris Bonjean, Abby Bonjean, Andy Bonjean, Pam Bonjean, Kelly Bonjean, Jenny Bonjean, Jon Bonjean, Shannon Bonjean, Christian Bonjean, Kayla Bonjean, Matt Bonjean and Delaney Sieving; six great-grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Clifford Thaxton; a niece, Connie Rau; a nephew, Steve Thaxton; one great niece and two great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Lorene Thaxton; a step-granddaughter, Molly Bonjean; a niece, Karen Thaxton; and a nephew, Louis Thaxton.
Tom graduated from Hettick High School with the class of 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1944. He served aboard the USS Pennsylvania in the South Pacific and was discharged in 1946. He received six battle stars and the Navy Commendation Medal for action against the Japanese during the Battle of Surigao Straits in retaking the Philippine Islands.Returning from the Navy, Tom attended Illinois College and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He later attended Western Illinois University and received both a Master’s Degree in 1952 and a Edspc. Degree in 1970. He attended Math and Science Institutes at Ball State, DePaul University, Illinois State, Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University.
Mr. Mussatto taught at Girard, Community Consolidated #2 (now South Jacksonville) and Murrayville School. He was Assistant Principal at Jacksonville High School, Principal at Lafayette, Murrayville and North Jacksonville schools, retiring in 1988 with 39 years of service. After retirement he taught part time at Our Saviours and Salem Lutheran Schools. He was a supervisor of student teachers at Illinois College for 14 years.
Mr. Mussatto was a member of Church of Our Savior. He belonged to the Illinois Education Principal Assoc., National Education Principal Assoc. and the Jacksonville American Legion Post 279.
He officiated basketball, football and baseball for many years. He was groundskeeper and in charge of the concession stand at Nichols Park for fifteen summers.
He enjoyed his family, playing with his dogs, playing cards, visiting riverboat casinos, travelling and eating breakfast out with friends.
