Thomas Joseph Giger, age 68, of St. Jacob, Ill., born to Earl and Ethel, nee Peach, Giger on June 25,1949 passed away February 13, 2018.

Tom was a 1967 graduate of Triad High School and attended Belleville Area College. He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in O'Fallon, Ill. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1580 since early 1970s. He was a very active member of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Illinois (formerly NAMI Madison County). He served three terms as President of NAMI Madison County. Tom produced the first Resource Guide for NAMI Madison County and subsequent issues for NAMI Southern Illinois.  He also kept NAMI Office equipment in working order.

On May 16,1970, Tom and Sandy Mersinger were married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lebanon, Ill. He worked at Jakel Motors after high school and became employed by Xerox Corporation in 1969 where he worked until his retirement in 2006. Tom was always in the Service Field with Xerox as technical service representative or as service manager. Tom enjoyed family gatherings and traveling.   He also enjoyed fishing in his pond behind his house. Another hobby that Tom dabbled in was genealogy. He and Sandy enjoyed stock car racing and traveled to many NASCAR tracks over the years. Tom loved his grandsons and was proud of both of his sons.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother Ethel, who died April 27,1983; father Earl, who died April 26, 2006; brother Larry Giger, who died October 10, 2007; mother-in-law Dellagene, nee Brendel, Mersinger, who died on March 9,1954; and father-in-law Lawrence Mersinger, who died December 16,1983.

Surviving are his wife Sandy; two sons, Grady Joseph Giger, of Belleville, Ill. and Jarod Thomas Giger and daughter-in-law, Jaime, nee Sanders, Giger of Lexington, Ky. He is also survived by two grandsons, Jack William Giger and Jude Thomas Giger of Lexington, Ky., who were the pride of his life. Tom loved visiting them in Kentucky as much as he loved having them visit on the farm, especially riding the Mule UTV. Tom enjoyed wrestling with Jack and Jude and they loved bouncing off PawPaw's belly.

Also surviving are his brothers Denny (Diane) Giger, Highland, Ill.; Jim Giger, Highland, Ill.; Bob (Margie) Giger, Mooresville, Ind.; Gary (Linda) Giger, Moline, Ill.; sister Kathi (Joe) Feigl, Caseyville, Ill.; and sisters-in-law Joan Giger, Nashville, Ill. and Shirley Mersinger Lodes, Highland, Ill. He is survived by many friends, nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers and other gifts, donations may be made to NAMI Southwestern Illinois, c/o Gateway Regional Medical Center, 2100 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, Granite City, IL 62040.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Friday, February 16, 2018 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home and from 9:30 a.m. until time of service, Saturday, February 17, 2018 at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, Shiloh, Ill.

The Knights of Columbus will conduct a brief Prayer Service at 6:30 pm, Friday, at the funeral home.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 17, 2017 at the church with Rev. James Deiters, presiding. At Tom's request, he will be cremated.