Thomas Franklin Benear, 89, of Paxton passed away at 6:16 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2026 at Villas of Holly Brook, Rantoul.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2026 at First Baptist Church, Rantoul with Pastor Jacob Chase officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cemetery, Paxton.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells St., Paxton and also from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at the church Friday.

Thomas was born July 14, 1937 in Elsberry, Missouri the son of Henry Palmer and Vecie Laverne Thompson Benear. He married Sue Belle Peterson on January 28, 1963 at the First Baptist Church, Paxton. She preceded him in death August 16, 2021.

He is survived by two daughters, Bonita (Christian) Pope of Marshall, Missouri, June (Mark) Hall of Rantoul; a son, Dale (Debby) Benear of Paxton; six grandchildren, Taylor and Morgan Pope, Dustin and Nathan Benear, Taya (Tyler) DeMicco, John Calderella; and one great grandson, Luca DeMicco.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sue and an infant brother.

Tom graduated from Morehouse High School in Morehouse, Missouri. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Tom worked at Gary’s Clothing Store, Paxton. He owned and operated the Standard Oil gas station in Paxton in the 70’s and also worked for Houston Oil Co. delivering bulk fuel and heating oil for several years in the area. Tom ended his working career at Conair in Rantoul, retiring in 2002. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Gibson City and a former Assistant Chief of the Paxton Fire Department.

Tom enjoyed camping, fishing, riding motorcycles, bowling and playing cards with friends.

He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears fan. He loved watching Dale race Motocross and Dale and Mark race monster trucks.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Rantoul, Paxton Fire Department or to the family to be donated to charity. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.