Thomas Gale Sheehan – O’Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home

Thomas Gale Sheehan, 62, passed away peacefully at home on August 10, 2024.
Tom was born on August 2, 1962, in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Barbara (Forbes) Sheehan and Dale Sheehan. He was the youngest of 6 siblings and attended grammar school in Quincy, IL, Canton, MO, Sunnyvale, CA and graduated high school at Quincy Senior High School.
As a young adult, Tom lived in Plainville, IL and later in Blytheville, AR. He and his first wife, Karen gave birth to a son & daughter named Matthew and Amy.
Tom was an extremely talented person. There was nothing he couldn’t install, repair or remodel. He was an industrial mechanic, a universally certified HVAC technician and a computer whiz – to include both building them from scratch and extensive programming skills. He was great at troubleshooting of all kinds. He had a very curious nature and loved challenges.
He truly enjoyed all his jobs: General Mills, City Electric, All-Line Equipment, Premium Waters, Peters Heating and Air and finally being self-employed. He remodeled too many homes to count, both for other property owners and his own rental homes.
Tom always said he found his passions and therefore he never worked for a day in his life. No matter how challenging a project was, how many hours/days/weeks it took, how hot or cold the environment or how dirty he got – it was all playtime to him.
It was rare for Tom not to be busy, but he did also enjoy gaming when he finally sat down. He also liked fishing and relaxing outside in the yard. He enjoyed animals and nature.
Tom and Launa Sheehan and Tom’s stepson, Alexander, shared a home since 2014. In 2019, Tom and Launa were married in their yard on the deck of the treehouse Tom built.
Tom was loving, honest, generous, kind and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was very patient and had enough integrity for all of us.
Tom is survived by his wife Launa, his daughter Amy Sheehan, his son Matthew Sheehan, both of Blytheville, AR; his stepson, Alexander La Velle of Quincy, IL; two grandchildren, Owen and Nomy Sheehan of Blytheville, AR; his brother, Roy Powell of Springfield, IL; his brother Dale Sheehan (Tammy) of Mendon, IL; his brother Melvin Powell of Quincy, IL; his brother-in-law, James Evans of Quincy, IL; his family friend and caregiver, Vicki Gray of Quincy, IL; several aunts, uncles, cousins; and numerous nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Jean Sheehan, his father, Dale Sheehan, his sister, Marsha Evans and his brother Jay Powell.
A celebration of Tom’s Life will be held at O’Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home, 1435 State Street, Quincy, IL on Thursday, August 15, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. A memorial service will directly follow at 2:00pm, with Dr. Tom Dickerson officiating. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery, in Quincy, IL.
Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.ODonnellCookson.com.