Thomas Neil Ayres, 74, of Hillsboro but formerly of Cicero died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, at 3 p.m. in Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Memorial services will be held in Chicago at a later date. The Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home, Hillsboro, is in charge of local arrangements.
Mr. Ayres was born to Stanley and Marjorie (Johnson) Ayres on March 6, 1940, in Melrose Park. A 1959 graduate of Mt. Olive High, he moved to Cicero and became a fork lift operator for General Electric, serving them for 31 years. He moved to Hillsboro in 1995.
He married Nancy Kalina on Aug. 12, 1961, in Cicero, and she survives in Hillsboro. Also surviving are their three sons, David (wife Cella) Ayres, Tim Ayres, and Jeff Ayres; one daughter, Pam Gonzales; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Jim (wife Pam) Ayres; and one sister, Jean Ayres.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter-in-law, Connie Ayres; one great-grandchild; one brother, Ray Ayres; and one sister-in-law, Diana Ayres.
He had served as scoutmaster for his three sons' Cub Scout troops.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the Multiple Sclerosis Association.
Condolences may be submitted online to basspattondeanfh.com.
