Thomas Carlton Zuber, of Amity, Illinois, died April 14, 2026. Tom was born November 22, 1945, at home in Claremont, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Alberta (Schneider) Zuber. Tom was the sixth of nine children: Ed, Jeanette, Bill, John (who died as a baby), Judy, Tom, Mary, Dorothy, and Alan. Tom started first grade at four years old, in the inaugural class to go all the way through the new Stringtown School. His free time was spent fishing and hunting squirrels with his Dad, selling GRIT newspapers, working across the street in Claremont at Doll Lumber Company, and throwing rotten tomatoes at the outhouse to the consternation of his sisters (the family had no indoor plumbing until the late 1970s). Stringtown School and Church were a big part of his life, where he played softball, served Mass, attended Rowcroppers 4-H meetings, and never got into trouble with the nuns. At age 13, Tom started working at Byron Weiler’s dairy farm north of Claremont and he remained interested in dairy farming his entire life. Byron and Virginia became a second family and were lifelong influences on Tom. Stringtown principal Gerald T. Benson and high school agriculture teachers L.T. Clark and A. Lee Schafer saw potential in Tom and were important role models. He thrived at East Richland High School and became FFA Chapter President. Upon graduating in 1963, Tom enrolled at University of Illinois, where he managed, in his words, to be “on either academic probation or the Dean’s List every other semester.” He competed on the U of I power lifting team, another pursuit that he enjoyed throughout his life. While still at U of I, Tom started working for the United States Department of Agriculture. On August 19, 1967, he married Karen Kuenstler at Holy Cross Church in Wendelin, Illinois. Tom became the County Executive Director for the USDA-ASCS in Grundy County after graduation. He and Karen made many lifelong friends in the Morris, Illinois, area. Tom became CED of the Richland County ASCS in 1972. Tom always said he and Karen were contemplating a move to Australia when they unexpectedly learned they would soon become parents. So, they built a house down the road from Tom’s Godmother, Rozella Richey, in Amity, Illinois. Bartley Carlton Zuber was born in 1975 and Katrina Kuenstler Zuber followed in 1977.

Tom always said, “As a government servant, I am on call 24/7/365.” Nonetheless, he managed to find the time to provide an idyllic childhood for Katie and Bart. Tom was a proponent of experiences over possessions. Snow skiing, camping, gardening (especially popcorn), traveling, and fishing were favorite pastimes, all of which he passed along to his children. Family vacations included one week every year at McCormick’s Creek State Park, IASCOE conventions at Holidomes throughout Illinois, and visits with family all across the United States. Tom never missed a ballet performance, ball game, recital, cheerleading competition, or any other activity of his children. Tom was active in Richland County 4-H as a volunteer and leader of the Rowcroppers. Tom was a lifelong member of Knights of Columbus #1352, serving as Grand Knight and volunteering frequently in myriad capacities, including many years as Santa Claus.

Tom and Karen treasured a shared friendship of 55 years with a group known as “The Fam.” Buddy and Brenda Glover, Skip and Susie Bishop, Denny and Marcia Hoagland, John and Laura Curry, and Sherry and Gene Brauer shared almost every Friday and Saturday night at Gray’s, the Townhouse, and the Elks. They also shared every Christmas, Thanksgiving Eve, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July, births, weddings, deaths, graduations, and everything else life threw at them.

Tom had a close relationship with his parents, siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He was a proud Godfather to many people, and stayed in touch with every Godchild. He was a loyal friend to many, many people as well. Tom was very proud of his work with the USDA. He truly enjoyed all of his farmers and all of his co-workers, both in his office and throughout the USDA. He viewed his job not as work but simply as helping people. So many of his farmers, especially those who lived through the 1980s, have said, “Tom always just told me, ‘We’ll figure it out.’ and then somehow he did.” Tom often transferred his vacation time and sick time to other USDA employees throughout the United States who were new mothers or having life challenges.

After retiring as one of the USDA’s longest-serving employees, Tom’s immediate family expanded with the additions of Jennifer Cummins-Zuber and Matt Kirk. Next came Amity Hazel Zuber, Georgianna Marie Zuber, and Elliot Victoria Zuber Kirk, for whom he was “Papa Tom.” He loved them all very much and they all treasure the time they shared with him.

Tom’s parents predeceased him. Also predeceasing Tom were brother Ed and his wife Mary Jo, Jeanette’s husband Mel Hahn, Bill’s wife Kathryn Nye Zuber, infant brother John, and sister Judy Zuber. Tom’s surviving siblings are Jeanette Hahn, Mary Zuber, Dorothy Schmoker and her husband John, and Alan Zuber and his wife Andrea.

Tom is also survived by his wife, Karen Zuber, son and daughter-in-law Bart and Jennifer Cummins-Zuber, daughter and son-in-law Katie Zuber and Matt Kirk, and granddaughters Amity Zuber, Georgianna Zuber, and Elliot Kirk.

The names of friends, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other extended family members who have either predeceased or survived Tom would fill a book, and he was grateful to be part of their lives.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney has been entrusted with arrangements.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney.

Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stringtown.

Interment will follow at Amity Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to University of Illinois (4-H Richland Co.) or Pride Richland County and either mailed or delivered to Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home.