Thomas ‘Tom’ Sadowski

Thomas “Tom” Sadowski, 69, of Anna, died Sunday, March 3, 2024.  

He was on born April 2, 1954, in Chicago, the son of Stanley Frank and Harriet M. Lipinski Sadowski. He married his loving wife and best friend, Shari Ellis Sweeney, on April 2, 2014, in Jonesboro.

He retired from a long and extensive career with the Illinois State Police Crime Lab in Carbondale, where he worked as a forensic scientist.  

He was a member of many local organizations, including being chair of the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest, cofounder of the Union County Food Pantry Gardens, Union County Democrat Central Committee Person, on the Annaelle Fest Committee, trustee of AFSCME Retirees Union Chapter 90 and the Southern Illinois Police Association. 

He is survived by his wife, Shari Sweeney Sadowski; son Vincent (Heather) Sadowski; stepdaughters Samantha (Scott) Ciesielski, Anna (Senthil) Button, Melissa Asbury and Riley Sweeney; 10 grandchildren; brothers Gerald (Kathy) Sadowski and Richard (Lisa) Sadowski; sisters Marilyn (Wayne) Fehlhaber and Roseanne (David) Suttie; multiple nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was the most generous and loyal person who gave strength and love to us all and never failed to help anyone in need. 

He was an avid outdoorsperson and environmentalist. He was a superb gardener. His smile and sense of humor brightened the darkest day. 

A memorial gathering was held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. 

Memorials can be made to the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest, PO Box 612, Carbondale, Ill. 62903. Envelopes will be available at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. 

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.