Tom G. Landen Sr

SOUTH BEND - Tom G. Landen Sr, age 88, residing in South Bend, Indiana passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Tom was born on June 6, 1934 in South Bend to Ralph and Helen (Baum) Landen and lived most of his life in this area. On May 6, 1961 at Ridgedale Presbyterian Church in South Bend, Tom was united in marriage to Sharon Hines, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Patricia Strycker and Jim Landen. Tom is survived by their children, Tom (Katherine) Landen Jr. of Raleigh, North Carolina and Terri (Charles) Damman of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two grandchildren, Joshua Damman of Cypress, TX and Kelli Damman; a daughter like neighbor and friend Donna Quinn as well as several nieces and nephews.

Tom graduated from South Bend Central in 1952. As a star athlete, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He was the captain of the 1951 football team that went 10 and 0 and were considered the ‘mythical’ State Champions. After high school he played with the Niles Cubs amateur baseball team.

Tom started working at NIPSCO and then was drafted in the Army and spent 16 months in Korea. He received the National Defense Service medal, and Good Conduct medal. After being honorably discharged, he returned home and worked at NIPSCO for 40 years and 7 months until he retired in 1994.

Tom was a long time Cubs fan (GO CUBS GO!) and also a fan of Purdue, Notre Dame, and the Chicago Bears. His greatest joys were his kids and grandkids. Tom and his son, Tom Jr enjoyed activities like model rocketry, and going fishing early in the morning at Dewey Lake. Tom followed his daughter Terri in all of her high school and college athletic endeavors. He was a proud grandfather and loved watching his grandkids in their sports activities. He was their biggest supporter and fan in whatever they were involved in. He had so much pride in their academic successes and would brag about them to whoever would listen. Also, a lover of animals, he loved his grand dogs very much.

His hobbies included gardening (vegetable and flower) in which he shared his spoils with neighbors and family. He definitely had a green thumb like his Mother. After his first grandchild was born, he picked up the hobby of scroll sawing beautiful wooden items that were hung and placed throughout his home and given to family and friends. They will be cherished for years to those closest to him. He loved to grill. His specialty for family get togethers was his beer butt chicken and drumsticks. It was also tradition in the Landen household that Saturday night was ALWAYS pizza night. Our lives have been truly blessed with the time we had with him.

Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday May 17th, 2023 at the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend. A family graveside ceremony will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger.

Expressions of sympathy to the Landen family may be offered to Juvenile Diabetes, 10401 N. Meridian Street, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46290. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Posted online on May 13, 2023

Published in South Bend Tribune

05/12/2023 EJS