SPRING VALLEY — Thomas L. Caldera, 84, of 27 Tyler Huge Road, Spring Valley, died at 6:20 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, at St. Margaret's Hospital in Spring Valley after a brief illness.
Born Jan. 3, 1928, in Spring Valley to Secundo and Mary (Tarro) Caldera, he married Betty Clayton April 5, 1946, in Joliet. She died Dec. 28, 1994.
He retired from Caterpillar.
He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Spring Valley and Spring Valley American Legion, and a former member of the Spring Valley Jaycees and Lions Club. He served as a Spring Valley volunteer fireman for 25 years and was a former 1st Ward alderman in Spring Valley. He was a World War II Navy veteran.
Surviving are two sons, Thomas (Carol) Caldera and William (Mary) Caldera, both of Spring Valley; five daughters, Doreen Richie of Chandler, Ariz., Diane (Larry) Carlson and Lynn Caldera, both of Spring Valley, Debbie Perra of Peru and Cathy Marending of Golden, Colo.; a special companion, Josie Magana of Spring Valley and her two sons, Frank (Carolyn) Magana of Ladd and Joe (Carol) Magana of Spring Valley; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers.
Prayers will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Barto Funeral Home, Spring Valley, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Spring Valley, with the Rev. Robert Spilman officiating. Burial will be in Valley Memorial Park, Spring Valley.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with an American Legion service at 6 p.m.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/P4ALAX2LXBWANJ35GRE6O64GWE.jpg)