Thomas "Tom" Edward Bir, 69, of Zion, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 3, 1940, in New Albany, IN, he was a son of the late Eugene Thomas and Virginia Mae (Browning) Bir. Tom served in the U.S. Navy on many ships from 1960-1980 and he retired as Senior Chief. On May 31, 1968, he married Mary Cecile Kotzke at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bramble, IN. He retired to Zion, IL, and has resided there for over 29 years. Following his active duty he was employed at the V.A. Hospital of North Chicago for ten years. Tom was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wadsworth, IL. He loved woodworking, gardening, fishing, hunting, and playing practical jokes. He is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters, Michelle Leigh Gneiss of McHenry, IL, and Bernadette Elizabeth Bir of Kenosha; and four sisters, Mary Agnes (Art) Morgan of Kokomo, IN, Patricia Ann Miller of Bowling Green, KY, Margaret Reed of Kokomo, IN, and Emma Clara (David) Pepper of Louisville, KY. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Lelia Mae Bir. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 26th, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1500 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth, IL, 60083, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will take place on Sunday, October 25th, at Proko Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. There will be additional visitation at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to the American Arthritis Foundation.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Tom’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com