Thomas Francis Edwards, 88, of Petersburg, IL and Marathon, Fl and previously Crossville, Tennessee and Bloomington-Normal, IL, died in Florida on Thursday November 5, 2015. He was born in Pittsfield, IL, son of the late Charles F and Gertrude N Edwards. He resided in Pearl, IL through high school when he was drafted to serve in the Army during World War II. He was married 52 years to his beloved wife Dorothy Crouse, who preceded him in death. Surviving are three children, Michael Edwards of Lacon, IL, Anita Forbes of Woodstock, IL and Timothy Edwards of Springfield, IL, ten grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Tom was devoted to education and loved teaching. He received a master’s degree from Arizona State University and later received a PhD from Michigan State University.  He spent a majority of his career as a professor at Illinois State University. Some of his notable accomplishments there included President of Illinois Association of Higher Education, ISU Distinguished Teacher of the Year (1982), Director of Science Teacher Recruitment in Illinois for the National Science Teachers Association, Director of numerous grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, and co-author of an elementary school science series.

Tom was an avid fisherman. He was devoted to his family and intensely loved.