Thomas M. Hartwell

Thomas M. Hartwell, age 63, of Elgin, IL, passed away on May 18, 2023. He was born December 28, 1959 in Chicago, IL to his loving parents, Willis and Jean (née Osborne) Hartwell.

Tom graduated from Augustana College in 1982 with a BA in Business Administration, Political Science, and Public Administration. While at Augustana, he was a member of the wrestling team. He then attended the University of Iowa, graduating in 1985 with a JD and an MBA. He worked as an attorney at law for 37 years, most recently as a partner at Collins, Radja and Hartwell. He was on the Legislative Committee for the Illinois Association of Court Clerks Bar Admissions.

Tom also served his local community in various capacities during his career, including as Kane County Circuit Board Clerk, Kane County Board Member, and Kane County Forest Preserve Commissioner.

Tom was a doer. He was very hardworking, diligent, caring, and thoughtful. He loved getting to know his clients and their wide-ranging experiences in life so that he could best serve their needs.

Tom was a big fan of the “Only Touch It Once” principle, which served him well in his active life. In his spare time, he enjoyed his family – especially his grandchildren, history, golfing and other sports, and real estate, as well as doing home improvements. And he loved telling “dad jokes.”

He also coached Elgin Youth Football and Little League for Elgin Continental.  He published a book titled “Striving to Win” which shares the story of the Elgin Continental Little League State Championship baseball team that was managed by him.

Most importantly, Tom was a follower of Jesus Christ and trusted in Him in his business and private life.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Jean Hartwell; and nephew, Ethan Robert Harrison Hartwell. He is survived by his sons, David (Jen) Hartwell and Daniel Hartwell; sister, Sue (Michael) Kilgore; brothers, Timothy (Susan) Hartwell, Woody (Gina) Hartwell, Ted Hartwell, and Todd (Tish) Hartwell; granddaughters, Adalynn and Grace; nieces and nephews, Dayne (Nicole) Hartwell, Phil (Rachel) Hartwell, Rachel (Kyle) Norris, Mike Kilgore, Peter Hartwell, Maggie Hartwell, and Tori Hartwell; and 11 great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial will be held from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, with funeral service at 7:00pm, Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. James Smet will be officiating.

To access the funeral remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on safe from home via Zoom (Meeting ID: 880 8621 8243, Password: 640018).

Interment will be at 11:30am, Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Lakewood Memorial Park, 30W730 U.S. Hwy. 20, Elgin, IL 60120.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.

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