Thomas L. Shade, age 94 of rural Quincy died Thursday, October 3, 2024 at his home. Tom was born March 2, 1930 in Quincy to Charles R. and Lina M. (Bellamy) Shade. He married Carlene F. Goerlich on April 15, 1950 in Quincy. They enjoyed over 70 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on January 5, 2021. Tom grew up in Adams County, attended a one room schoolhouse, the Independence Grade School – Burton Twp. and graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1948. Tom served our country in the Aviation Branch of the United States Navy during the Korean War from November 1951 until he was honorably discharged November 14, 1955.

Upon discharge from the Navy, Tom attended Gem City Business College and later the University of Illinois where he graduated in June 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. After graduation, Tom accepted a Controllers Training position with Pittsburg Plate Glass Company in Natrium, West Virginia. Three months later, the company transferred Tom to a plant in Crystal City, Missouri where he became manager of the Cost Accounting Department. Anxious to move his family back to the Quincy area, Tom accepted a position as staff accountant with Moorman Manufacturing Company in April 1961. He was later named Controller of the company and in 1977 became a member of the Moorman Board of Directors. In April 1979, he became President and a member of the Board of Directors for Quincy Soybean Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Moormans. Tom returned to Moorman Mfg. Company in October 1984 as President of the Company and Chief executive Officer. He served in the capacity until his retirement September 30, 1993. Tom often stated that any success he achieved was due in large part to Carlene’s unselfish support throughout their married life.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for many years before joining the parish of St. Peters Catholic Church. As member of St. Joseph’s parish, Tom served on the Finance Council, was a lector, and assisted with numerous fundraising activities including the ice cream social.

Tom was very civic minded, previously serving as a member of several civic organizations and numerous boards including United Way Allocation Committee, Boy Scouts Board of Directors, Family Service board of Directors, Culver-Stockton Board of Trustees, CFM Foundation Board of Directors, Rotary Club-East (Charter Member), Ameren-CIPS Board of Directors, Mercantile Trust & Savings Board of Directors, and the Blessing Hospital Board of Directors, serving three years as Chairman.

He was also a past member of the Board of Directors of several professional organizations as follows: American Feed Industry Association, National Soybean Processors’ Association, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Quincy Industrial Association, and Quincy Chamber of Commerce.

Tom was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was an avid gardener deriving great pleasure from sharing the bounty of his garden with others. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing. He and Carlene enjoyed traveling to the Gulf of Mexico for over 20 years to fish. Tom also enjoyed reading books.

He never met a stranger and tried to make everyone feel at ease. As his wife, Carlene battled health problems in later life, we all witnessed Tom’s devotion to her and their commitment to each other as exemplified by their over 70 years of marriage.

Tom is survived by his four children, Susan Backs and her husband Dennis of Greenville, IL, Michael Shade and his wife Amella of Ft. Wayne, IN, Sandra Collins and her husband John of Frankfort, IL, Robert Shade and his wife Shari of Quincy, IL; eleven grandchildren, Dana (Karl) Boellert, Aaron (Ashley) Backs, Kaci Backs, Shay (Scott) Clamme, Bryan (Molly) Shade, Alexis (Ryan) Kennerk, Shannon (Jason) Lesch, Kristen Collins, Renee Shade (fiancé Nick Brandon), Thomas Shade (fiancé Kelsey Mast) and an exchange student from Ecuador who became like family, Jorge (Nanjun) Garzon; seventeen great grandchildren, Anja Boellert, Alina Boellert, Alexander Boellert, Nolan Backs, Carly Backs, Easton Backs, Kaylin Clamme, Ryne Clamme, Addison Clamme, Caleb Shade, Landon Shade, Vivian Shade, Emelia Shade, Elanor Lesch, Colette Lesch, Leonardo Garzon and Isabella Garzon; Brother-in-law Gene (Rita) Goerlich of Quincy and sister-in-law Clare Goerlich of Quincy.

In additions to his wife, Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother George W. (Richard) Shade and his wife Mary, a twin brother James W. (Jay) Shade and his wife Mary Jo, a grandson Brad Shade, and a great grandson Jackson Clamme. He was also preceded in death by his brothers-in-law; Joe Goerlich, Virgil Goerlich, Robert Goerlich, Donald Goerlich, Kenneth Goerlich, Henry Bockhold, Charles Schafer and sisters-in-law: Rita (Goerlich) Bockhold, Joan Goerlich, Marilyn (Goerlich) Schafer, Rita (Hildebrand) Goerlich, Rosie (Wand) Goerlich.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of St. Peter at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Messages may be shared online at www.dukerandhaugh.com.