Thomas W. DiFilippo

Thomas William DiFilippo, 75, of Seymour died on Saturday, December 13, 2025. 

Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 23, 1950, to Dorothy (née Harper) and Floro DiFilippo. He was raised with his sister, Patricia, in Lansing, Illinois. He attended Thornton-Fractional South High School and graduated in 1968. While growing up in Lansing, he enjoyed playing sports, particularly baseball, football, and wrestling. 

After graduating high school, he attended Southern Illinois University, from which he graduated in 1972 with his bachelors degree in journalism. He enjoyed photography and one of his most sought after subjects was his soon-to-be wife, Suzanne Dring, whom he met at SIU. He also proudly served in the United States Marine Corp, and received an honorable discharge in 1971. 

Tom and Sue married on July 27, 1974 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They originally moved to Danville, Illinois, where Tom put his journalism major to use, working for WITY radio, and providing color for the local high school football and basketball games. Over time, Tom transitioned from journalism to radio broadcasting, and Tom and Sue relocated to St. Louis, Michigan, and Elgin, before settling in Seymour, Illinois in 1987. For the next 38 years, Tom worked in radio in Champaign, Illinois, and raised his family. 

Tom’s greatest joy in life was his family. The proud father of three children, Christopher “Kip”, Nic, and Ashley, Tom was actively involved in all of his children’s activities. from being a Boy Scout leader for his sons, teaching them to love and appreciate hunting and the outdoors, cheering on his kids at their sporting events, or teaching them to cook Sunday dinner almost as good as him, he was happiest when he was surrounded by family. He was overjoyed when grandchildren were added to the brood and his Sunday dinner table expanded 7-fold. He was always proud to see his grandchildren, and he enjoyed attending their activities, as well as teaching them the secrets of how to make homemade pasta and true Italian sauce. 

Tom was a natural story teller and he loved nothing more than sharing a cup of coffee and sharing stories around the kitchen table. All were always welcome in his home, and he couldn’t wait to regale you with a story. Whether it be of his youth spent growing up in the 50s, recipes handed down from his Italian grandmother, or the first time he brought his future wife home for a true Italian Easter, he told every story with a flair and a zest for life which would have his listener believing they were actually there, no matter how many times you had heard the story before. In recent years, he returned to writing, and had prepared, The Best of Times, a collection of his life stories. He was actively working on volume II at his death. His book is treasured by his children and grandchildren, all of whom have a copy. 

Tom treasured the time he spent with his family, whether it be watching the Chicago Bears football games with his sons and grandsons, teaching the finer arts of cooking, debating the politics of the day, or simply sitting around the Sunday dinner table. He had a zest for life and a questioning spirit that will be sorely missed. All knew that they were welcome at Tom’s dinner table, and one of his favorite sayings was you come once as a guest, after that, you’re family. 

For the last 15 years, Tom was the voice of Mahomet Seymour Bulldog Baseball, announcing and adding color to the games, alongside his son, and head coach, Nic. After each game, the two would then discuss the game, and strategize for the next. His deep, calming voice will be missed by players and spectators alike. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and sister. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue; his three children, Kip DiFilippo, Nic (Kristen) DiFilippo, and Ashley (Bill) Davis; and his seven grandchildren, Kara (Noah) Powell, Brianna, Emiliana, Cohen, and Gavin DiFilippo, and Mollie and Ellie Davis. 

Visitation with the family will take place Friday, December 19, 2025 from 10:30-12pm at Mahomet Christian Church, 908 North Lake of the Woods Road, Mahomet, Il, with a funeral service immediately following at noon. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bulldog Baseball, via Mahomet-Seymour High School, 302 West State Street, Mahomet, Il, in memory of Tom DiFilippo. 

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