Thomas E. Schlesinger

SCHLESINGER, Thomas Eugene, 89, fortified with the Sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, January 6, 2018. Tom is survived by his Best Friend and Love of his Life, Betty Delayne Dayton. Tom was born on October 29, 1928 in St. Louis, MO as the youngest son of six children to Albert Ernest Schlesinger and Margaret Mary Moll. Tom was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Margaret “Marie” (Joseph Warren Killoren), Albert Robert Joseph “Bob” (Doris Rodriguez), Alfred Lawrence (Marie Rodriguez), Dorothy Jane (William Benson), and Alice Lorraine (Robert Reich). Survived by two cousins, Sylvia Wilkenfeld (Jerome) of Houston, Texas and Carole Ann Hoppenstein (Jay) of Dallas, Texas. Affectionately known as “Uncle Tom” to his family and even to many outside of his family, Tom proudly boasted of 25 nieces and nephews (22 surviving), 66 great nieces and nephews and many great-great/great-great-greats…too many to count! Tom also cherished Betty’s sisters, nieces and nephew.

Tom proudly served in the Army during the Korean War, twice receiving the Bronze Service Star . By trade, Tom was a salesman for Kraft Foods early in his career; later in life, he was a skilled and meticulous painter/paper hanger. In his free time, he enjoyed and took pride in being the family historian, spending countless hours researching and compiling family data. He enjoyed cooking, camping, fishing, photography, and beautiful music, but the thing he seemed to enjoy most was time spent with Betty and his family and close circle of friends. Tom rarely missed an opportunity to attend a family gathering or to chauffeur out-of-town family members to sight-seeing locations. Quite simply, he loved to be with those whom he cared so deeply. His handsome face, his wonderful smile, his endearing wit and light-hearted personality (including so many silly “Uncle Tom-isms”) and even the bickering and bantering with his siblings and Betty, will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved Tom.

SERVICES: Visitation 4-8pm on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at KRIEGSHAUSER MORTUARY WEST CHAPEL 9450 Olive Blvd., Olivette 63132. Mass of Christian Burial 11:30am Thursday, January 11, 2018 St. Monica Catholic Church 12136 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur 63141. Interment with Military Honors in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.