Thomas Jay Torbert

Thomas Jay Torbert, 42, of Galva, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family during his final moments. He demonstrated strength, courage, and bravery until his final breath during his eighteen-month battle with lung cancer.

Tom was born July 22, 1980 in Peoria, Illinois, the son of John Torbert III and Linda Torbert. He is survived by his wife Kelly (Townsend) and five-year-old son Skylar of Galva, parents John (Sue) Torbert of Nekoma, Linda Torbert of Galva, brother Neil (Wendy) Schmitzer-Torbert of Crawfordsville, Indiana, sister Hannah Torbert (Zach Wagner) of rural Bishop Hill, stepbrother Jason Rice of Toulon, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephew. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Francine Torbert, maternal grandparents Eugene and Dorothy Thomson, aunts Sherry Thomson and Diane Stone, uncle Dave Brown, and cousins Shanna Thomson and Nathan Torbert.

Tom attended Galva High School, graduating in 1998. Kelly and Tom were high school sweethearts and began dating in 1996. A short twenty-six years later, they were wed in December of 2022, in Bishop Hill, Illinois, on the 26th anniversary of their first date. 

Tom worked with his father at Torbert Electric after graduating from high school, before learning the trade of vinyl graphic installation from a local company. He was employed at TKO Graphix as an installer for many years, until his cancer diagnosis in October of 2021.

The most important job Tom held was that of being a father. Tom loved his son, Skylar, immensely. And Skylar loves his dada just as much. Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and spent much of his time sharing his love of nature with his son. Tom and Skylar had many good days together riding to check trail cameras, looking for antler sheds, and cleaning fish. Tom was also passionate about his many hobbies, and was an avid collector of coins, antique jars, marbles, and comic books.

Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, March 9th, at Rux Funeral Home in Galva. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Cremation will be accorded and a burial at Galva Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Tom Torbert memorial fund, to be used to support Tom’s family, and also to give back to the local community. As Tom and his family were so grateful for the support of so many during his illness, the family wishes to remember him through helping others.

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