Former Illinois resident Thomas H. Atwell, 60, died on October 16, 2013 in Charleston, Illinois.

Visitation will be held in Springfield, MO on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 1:00 pm till 2:00 pm at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at White Chapel, 5234 W. State HWY EE (Division). Graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.
Tom Atwell was born April 24, 1953 in Springfield, MO to Robert and Bertha Atwell.
At an early age, Tom proved to be an accomplished athlete. His love for playing baseball and football lead to a natural transition into coaching once his playing days were over.
Tom earned a Bachelors Degree from the School of the Ozarks and a Master''s Degree in Education from Central Missouri State University. He got his first job in 1976 as a junior high PE teacher in Missouri. He soon moved to Illinois, where he spent more than 35 years teaching 6th grade through high school students and coaching football at various high schools and Eureka College. Tom devoted his life to teaching and mentoring. His passion for making a difference in the lives of young boys and girls will live on in the lessons he preached beyond the classroom and playing fields.
He is survived by his children: Laura Hawk of Charleston, IL; Chris Pier of Commerce City, CO; Cory Atwell of Peoria, IL and by his brothers: Ken and Jim Atwell.