Thomas W. Smith, age 89, of Bull Valley, Woodstock, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2001 at home. He was born in Chicago July 26, 1911. In 1919 his family moved to Oak Park, where he attended Ascension Grade School and Oak Park River Forest High School. After high school, he began a 42 year career at Aldens Mail Order, where he rose to the position of Vice President of Operations. During this time he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago. While in Oak Park, Mr. Smith was a pilot and flight instructor, a Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus and was involved in Little League Baseball for many years. He and his wife, Doris, moved to Bull Valley area near Woodstock in 1968, where he devoted a love of planting trees. After his retirement from Aldens in 1973, he was instrumental in founding Central States Microfilming, a family run business, where he stayed active until his death. He was an avid golfer and was a member of both Woodstock and Crystal Lake Country Clubs. Mr. Smith, a devoted family man, is survived by Doris, his loving wife of 65 years; sons, Thomas, Bruce, David and Richard, daughter Kathy, along with their spouses; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Service and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the American Cancer Society. Info: Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, Crystal Lake. 815-459-1760
