Thomas E. Strader
July 29, 1941 ~ June 3, 2022
Thomas E. Strader, 80, of Wyanet went home to be with the Lord on June 3, 2022 surrounded by family at OSF in Peoria, Illinois. He was born on July 29, 1941 at home in Gold township to Robert and Sylvia (Linaweaver) Strader and graduated from Wyanet High School.
Thomas married his high school sweetheart, Linda Eckberg, on September 1, 1963 at the First Baptist Church in Princeton, Illinois. They were married for 59 years and are the parents of four children, Adam Strader (Julie) of Buda, Kendra Ross (David) and Patrick Strader of Wyanet, and Nick Strader of Buda; seven grandchildren, Seth Ross of Chillicothe, Danae Giacchino (Nathan) of Clarksville,Tennessee, Alex Strader (Shyanne) of Buda, Kali Strader of SpringValley, Morgan Strader (Tessa) of Wyanet, Gabriel and Wyatt Strader of Buda; and two great grandchildren Bentley Strader of Buda and Ryan Strader of Wyanet.
Raising and training horses were Tom and Linda’s passion. His first horse, Babe, was an eighth grade promotion gift from his mom and dad. A few years later he started gaming with his horse, Cochise. His specialties were flag racing and pole bending where he won several high point trophies in the Bureau County Saddle Club where Linda was the secretary. They also stood four Quarter Horse stallions and raised several foals. In the last few years Tom and Linda have enjoyed trail riding in Arizona, Missouri, the Dakotas, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Texas.
Thomas farmed in the Wyanet/ Buda area for about 50 years and also worked at Harper Wyman for 11 years, LTV Steel for 17 years and Ace Hardware Distribution Center for 3 years.
He was a member of the Bureau Township Community Church, Bureau County Saddle Club and Search and Rescue and attended the Tiskilwa Bible Church.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 8 at the Bureau Township Community Church at 11 with Pastors David Ross and Patrick Jones officiating. On Tuesday, June 7 the family will
receive guests at the Grant Johnson Funeral Home in Princeton from 4-7. Memorials may be directed to Operation Christmas Child through the Bureau Township Community Church.
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Linda, words cannot begin to express my heartfelt sorrow for you and your family. Tom was such a great man. I have so many fond memories of you and Tom. One memory that stands out is riding Babe along the bottom of Parker’s Hill; she was faster than I thought!. I also recall lots of trips across the field and when Cochise had surgery on your front yard. Through the years our families stayed connected and I’ve always enjoyed seeing you both whenever I came home. My prayer is that Tom is riding in heaven and that the sorrow you feel now will fade as the happy memories fill your heart with love.