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A private ceremony is planned. Interment will be in Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Arthur Thomas “Tom” Abner, age 81, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Wednesday morning, May 6, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born November 22, 1938, in Beattyville, Kentucky, the son of Arthur “Doc” and Carrie Alice (Kincaid) Abner. He was united in marriage to Carolyn Sue Erwin on June 25, 1965, at First Christian Church in Flora, and together they shared 48 years of marriage until her death November 7, 2013.
Tom was a 1956 graduate of Flora Township High School and then continued his education at the University of Illinois. He graduated from U of I with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1961. After graduation, Tom enlisted with the Army Reserve. After finishing his reserve duties, he began working alongside his father at Abner Trucking Company.
Tom began his oilfield career at an early age. His father worked for Gulf Oil, and Tom would do summer work as a roustabout for his father at the early age of 14. He continued this work, as well as pumping wells, up until his father retired from Gulf Oil. Tom’s father then started up Abner Trucking Company in 1958, and Tom began running oilfield tank truck services. It was just a few years later that Abner Trucking began their oilfield pulling unit services. From then on, Tom never looked back. He ran a pulling unit until the age of seventy-two at which time he did not retire, but instead, continued to mentor and manage his oilfield hands. This year marked the 62nd year of operation for Abner Trucking Company. Tom was a hard worker and took great pride in being a part of the Illinois oil industry. Tom was also a great family man. When Tom was not working, he enjoyed boating, riding his four-wheeler with his favorite dog Dottie sitting front and center, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and mowing. Mowing wasn’t work, it was a hobby, and you could tell he enjoyed it if you ventured past his property that looked like a well-groomed golf course.
He is survived by 3 children: Randy (Erica) Abner of Flora, Michelle (Kenny) Pietz of Flora, and Jason (Patti) Abner of Los Angeles, CA; 10 grandchildren: Jordan (Josh) Kessler, Gage (Lacey) Cobb, Donovan (Destinee) Cobb, Echoe Abner, Elsie Abner, Justin & Adam Pietz, Alexis Abner, William Abner, and James Abner; and 6 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Carolyn Abner; sister: Mitzi Goldstein; and an infant brother: William.
A private ceremony is planned. Interment will be in Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to First Christian Church of Flora and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence, visit: www.frankandbright.com
Oct 27, 1934 - Apr 21, 2024
May 31, 1946 - Apr 20, 2024
Aug 8, 1939 - Apr 18, 2024
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Aug 31, 1955 - Apr 12, 2024
We are so sorry for your loss. He was an amazing man!
So saddened by this loss!! Loved him dearly,, as all of the family. May God rest his soul. Praying for everyone.
So very sorry for the loss of Tom, he was a good fella. Alan loved working for him.
We are so sorry to hear of your father's passing. He was such a great guy, and will be missed by everyone. Our hearts go out to your family.
Tommy was in my high school class of 1956. Always so pleasant. I remember his fathers business in the oil fields as my dad also was in oil field business and did business with Tom's dad. Rest in peace my friend. Prayers for the family..
So sorry for your loss. May God wrap His arms around you and give you comfort. God bless you all. Dennis and Sue Hampsten
My prayers are with the family. May God give you peace and prayers at this time.
He’s rejoicing in heaven. So sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers
So sorry to hear about your father. He had a wonderfully productive life. He was blessed to have you guys back with him this past year so he could take things slower. Hugs to all of you during these difficult times.
My thoughts and prayers are certainly with the family at this difficult time. Tom will be missed.
So sorry for your loss.
My condolence to the family. Tom always kept me laughing when I was young. Tom, Carolyn and my sister Sally were close friends. They all teased me to tears. Memories I have cherished. Love to all. Jane
Tom was a wonderful man with a big heart. He was always a big supporter of Clay City. His generosity was known to all that knew him.
Truly a hard working, genuinely great man. He will be greatly missed.
My condolences, sorry for your loss.
Randy, Michelle and Jason, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Tom was a great guy. I have many wonderful memories of my time spent with both Tom and Carolyn. Both of your parents were just the best. They were wonderful friends to me. Love Sally
Sorry for your loss.
Our sincere condolences to the family. Tom was a good man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss, always enjoyed talking with him on Sunday mornings. We will miss him.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Rest in Peace Tom!
Very sorry for your loss Randy and family!
I am so sorry to hear this news. Tom was absolutely the best! So many memories growing up. Keeping all the Abner family in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss prayers for family
So sorry to hear of Tom's passing! I never knew Tom well just in passing and through working in the oil business. I never heard a bad word about him or from him. I know he was a very good man! God Bless and may he Rest-In- Peace!
Comforting prayers to you all. Tom was such a great man. Sure will miss him and his friendly smile full of kindness.
So very. Sorry for your loss
Tom Abner was as kind a person as I've ever known. And certainly the most unassuming. I never saw him in any but a good mood and he never forgot who a friend was. Flora will never feel like the same town to me without him in it. I recall how he drove home from the U of I every weekend all through his college years. We always joked about all the weekend college parties he missed, but he surely found even greater joy at home. Any time I met Tom I felt in the presence of a true friend.
We are so sorry to learn of Tom’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers will be with his family.
We are so sorry to hear about Tommy. I met him when I was 16 working on a pulling unit for him. He was a good man and a hard worker. He will be greatly missed.
Had the pleasure of meeting Tom many times delivering pumps. He was always a joy to talk to. He will be missed by many. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Boy oh boy it is so tough loosing a friend like Tom, we have done a lot of boating and camping over the years. He sure liked to work and play just as hard. He took good care of his family and friends. I will sure miss that laugh and positive attitude.
Sorry for your loss. Tom was a wonderful fun loving man. A hard worker and a awesome husband, father, and grandfather. Prayers of comfort for the family, he will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear of Toms passing, he was a good neighbor, prayers for the family.
Very sorry for your loss. We are saying prayers for your family.
Michelle and Jason...Tom's got somebody up there waiting for him and they can continue there stories that they've told each other a hundred times but Clem will have some new ones...Sorry for your lost...was one of a king man...
My sincere sympathy to all the family!. Tom was a great guy and neighbor.
I was saddened to learn of Tom's passing. Got to know him as a classmate during our Flora High School years. A good, kind person. My deepest sympathy to his family. He will be missed by many.
So sorry for your loss. Tom was a hard working oil field worker from way back.
My sincere sympathy to all family. Tom was a great guy and neighbor.
I'm very sorry to hear about Tom's death. He was a classmate during high school and a good Christian friend. He will be missed by many.
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was such a great man. He was a joy to be around. Always had a smile. He was very much of this community. Love to you all.
I worked for Tom in the late 70’s Thoughts and prayers for his family! Dedicated Man!
We are very sad to hear about Tom!!!! He was a wonderful man!! Rick and I were blessed to know him!!!!! You have our deepest sympathies!!!
Tom was a good man and lived a good life. We shared rides while we were both Engineering students at the University of Illinois in 1958. We never remember hearing him ever saying anything unfavorable about anything or anyone. He will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Our sympathy to all his family.
Randy, Michelle, Jason and family so sorry for the loss of your father . I can remember when we lived out there by the golf course driving by your parents house and seeing him out there mowing and like you said it was a hobby and relaxing to him. Thinking of you all in the days ahead
So sorry for the family’s loss. Prayers of comfort are with all.
Randy and family, so sorry to hear of this great loss in your family. I know he was a great man from all you have shared about him, Randy. May you all find comfort, may his soul rest in peace.
With Deepest Sympathy. Prayers to the family.
A true and loved friend, I will miss him.
We are so sorry for loss. May GOD give you comfort during this time.
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to the family at this difficult time.
What an amazing guy! I have fond memories of he and my dad, Dan West, talking about the oil field as Tom was pulling a well for dad. Tom always knew what needed to be done to the well and had a way to fix it. When I took over after dad died, he was always available to answer questions I had and, of course, send out a rig if needed. As a youngster, I thought Tom was a permanent part of the oil patch. It's only when one gets older do you realize that people and situations don't last forever. But now Tom has shed his earthly shell and will be praising our Lord for an eternity. Praying for you all as you remember the good times and the bad. Most of all, I hope you can hold onto each other in the trying times ahead. God Bless
We are so sorry to hear the passing of your father. Tom was a great guy and we enjoyed his friendship and the times our families vacationed together. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you in this sorrowful time.
Tom was a true friend, my sympathy and prayers for the family.
Randy and your family, so sorry for your loss, Tommy taught and showed us all how to work and live. I'm sure Jesus met him with open arms and said job well done.
Tom was a good friend during high school and later. A group of us ran around together. We had a good time and could count on many hours and occasions of fun and happiness. Tom was such a kind person and always saw the good in everyone. I moved out of Illinois to Nevada many years ago but still remember all the good times and Tom was one of the leaders. Rest in Peace Tom; you've earned it. Much love to your family.
Tom was as fine a man as I have ever known. We will miss him.
Randy,Erica, and Family, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tom was a wonderful person and always well mannered. His parents were very sweet Christian people. I will always remember Tom and glad I was raised knowing the Abner family.
Our condolences to the Abner Family. Tommy was a wonderful man! Rest In Peace
We will really miss Tom when we come to visit. We want you to know you are in our prayers.Strength during these times can only come through him!
Tom and I have been friends ever since he started in the oilfield we use to play ping pong together he was a great friend I will miss him
So sorry for your loss, you are in our Thought & Prayers.
I ALWAYS admired Tom as a kid. I remember he and brother Dan being very good friends. I always thought his wife Caroline being so pretty. Rest in Peace dear friend. You will certainly be missed.
Sorry for your loss, may God comfort you & bless you, and be with the family.
So sorry to hear of Tom's passing he was a good friend and class mate.
Sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. I just spoke to Michelle and him at the drs office in March. We are in DeWitt Illinois most of the time. We just come home to mow and get the mail. You all are in our prayers
Tom wore a white cowboy hat. He worked in the oil field near Marshall, IL. under my brother-in-law, Everett Smith. Said he couldn't find help that wanted to work as hard as he did. He could quote the books of the bible. A Christian who will be missed. The class of 1956 lost another member. God Bless.
Sympathy to the family. Always enjoyed speaking with Tom at church. Such a nice man and a great example of humility, respect, and work ethic. Will be missed.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
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