Thomas C. "Mr. Grumpy" Nilsen, 85, of Belvidere, passed away peacefully, Friday, April 10, 2009 in Homebridge (Biltmore) Rehabilitation Center from complications from heart surgery. He was ready to go home and be with his Lord. He was born March 29, 1924 in Belvidere; the son of Hans and Beulah (Hinckley) Nilsen. Tom married Phyllis J. Wascher in Belvidere on June 1, 1974. He was a Professional Truck Driver. He later worked as a courier for Highland Hospital. Tom was a veteran of WWII serving in the Army. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Teamsters Retirees, American Legion, Boone Post 77 and T.O.P.S. IL986. Tom was a real "People Person". He loved to reminisce about his trucking days at Perkins and Arco Auto Carrier. He enjoyed fishing, reading and playing cribbage. He was a board member for CASA. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, Belvidere; two daughters, Lorel (John Harvey) Nilsen, Lynda (Brian) Ditto; a son, David (Nancy) Nilsen, all of Belvidere; two grandsons, Erik Nilsen, Denver, Colorado and Christopher Nilsen, Belvidere; a sister, Eunice Hartley, Tomah, Wisconsin; a brother, Martin Nilsen, Belvidere. Tom was preceded in death by parents; three sisters, Dorothy Wallace, Lola Eastham and Bernice Noth; and three brothers, Clifton "Lee" Nilsen, Robert Nelson and Marvin Nilsen.

Memorials to the family with fund to be established at a later date.