Thomas Edward Govero

OTTAWA – Thomas Edward Govero, age 70, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 6 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa with Rev. Jules Adator celebrating.  Interment will follow in St. Columba Cemetery with full military honors by the Ottawa Veterans Organizations.  Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 5 ^th , with a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. at Gladfelter Funeral Home who is honored to assist the Govero family with arrangements.  Pallbearers will be Thomas Katrein, Jimmy Baxter, Les Staton, Jeff McDunnin, Larry Murphy and Jim Lorimer.

Tom was born July 19, 1942 in Ottawa, Illinois, a son of Thomas Edward and Victoria D. (Kerrigan) Govero-Denbo.  He married Georgia “Ginger” Simpson July 19, 1986 at Epworth United Methodist Church in Ottawa.  Surviving are his loving wife, “Ginger”; his children, John Michael Govero of Biloxi, Mississippi, Paula Lynn (Sonny) Fejzoski of Morris, Jodi Ann Govero of Wedron and Thomas Edward (Kassy) Govero of Ottawa.  He also leaves grandchildren, Alije, Sabrije, Randi and Brandon Fejzoski, Justin, Madyson and David Govero, Haylee Casey, Drew and Tyler Hodges; great-grandchildren, Payton and Lilley Govero; a brother, Joseph H. Denbo; and a sister, Peggy S. (Stephen) Denbo-Beckman.  Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Govero and Victoria Govero Denbo and his step-father, Paul M. Denbo.

Tom was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church.  He graduated from Ottawa Township High School and Lewis University.  Tom served his country with pride and distinction in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Topeka from 1959 to 1963.  He served from December 1969 to May 1997 on the Ottawa Police Department.  He was promoted to Sergeant in 1974 and to Captain in 1979, the rank at which he retired after 27 years of dedicated service.  Following retirement, Tom also served as director of the Illinois Valley Crime Prevention Commission for 10 years.  Tom was a member of the Illinois Police Association, Illinois Valley Chiefs Association, American Legion, VFW and the FBI National Academy.  Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Church or to the Salvation Army.