Thomas A. Bischoff, 76 of New Windsor, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by the love of his family on Friday, January 16, 2026. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 21, at Calvary Lutheran Church, New Windsor. Burial will be in New Windsor Cemetery. Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Calvary Lutheran Church, New Windsor. Memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, is assisting the family.
Tom was born in Rockford, Illinois, on November 19, 1949, to Eugene and Shirley (Hodapp) Bischoff. He attended Stillman Valley High School where he received the honors of being named to the All State Basketball team and valedictorian. Tom was a proud Alumni of the University of Illinois where he received his Agriculture and Education degrees. While teaching and coaching basketball at Westmer High School, Tom, the ag teacher, met Mary Mayhew, the new home ec teacher. They were married on August 10, 1974, in Viola, Illinois. They later moved to Freeport, where Tom served as an Ag Loan Officer for several years, before moving back to Mercer County where Tom farmed near New Windsor until his retirement last year.
Tom believed in serving his community and his faith in God. He was on the board of the Verl Brooks Scholarship Foundation and the New Windsor Telephone Company Board of Directors. Previously, he served on the board of the Sherrard Academic Foundation, Sherrard Athletics Booster Club, and Bank of Viola Board of Directors. Tom was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church, where he served as church council chairman and treasurer. During the winter, Tom could be seen helping plow many driveways throughout New Windsor. He loved sports, was often in the stands supporting the Sherrard Tigers, and was an avid fan of the Illini and Chicago Cubs. He especially enjoyed his morning social hour at Christy’s. His greatest joy was becoming Gramps to Hugh and Sloane.
Tom’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Mary; daughter and son-in-law, Karissa and Ryan McDaniel; beloved grandchildren, Hugh and Sloane; sister, Pam Bischoff; close family friend, Renae Hampton; brother-in-law, Jim Mayhew; nephews and families, Troy and Tara Mayhew and Lance, Ann, Maddux, and Rian Mayhew. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Donald and Dorothy Mayhew; and brother-in-law, Walter Eugene Mayhew.