Oak Ridge Second-Grader Dies Unexpectedly After Brief Illness

PALOS HILLS, IL — A second-grader at Oak Ridge Elementary School in Palos Hills died unexpectedly Friday of a sudden and brief illness.

Thomas J. Stachon, 7, was described as a kind, caring and compassionate boy. His father, Richard, posted a photo of his son on Facebook, holding up a handmade creation that said “Hello Fall,” and wearing an astronaut costume.

“He wanted to be famous, so let’s make him famous,” his father wrote.

“Thomas had many friends and wonderful teachers at Oak Ridge … Everyone who knew Thomas knew how much he loved playing soccer, building with Legos, playing and roughhousing with his brothers. He loved to draw and color. He always enjoyed learning,” his family said in a written statement.

>>> GoFundMe Started To Help Cover Final Costs Of Thomas Stachon, 7

Drew Mariani, host of a podcast for the Polish Catholic community, said until a few days before Thomas became ill, he had been a happy and healthy little boy. He was placed in an induced coma with brain inflammation. Mass was celebrated at his bedside.

“Please, in your charity — storm heaven for this little man,” Mariani said on the Relevant Radio website, asking people to pray for the boy.

Full of life, his family said Thomas had a spark that lit up an entire room. He was an eager helper, whether it was calming down his baby brother or teaching others how to do things. Thomas had many role models in life, but he was a bigger role model to many.

“We will miss Thomas everyday and we know that our lives have been changed by the seven short years he spent down here on earth with us. His memory will live on forever.

Thomas lived in Palos Hills with his parents, Richard and Gosia Stachon, and brothers Anthony and Matthew. He leaves his grandparents, Stanley and Eva Stachon, and Bronislaw and Zofia Topor-Miesiar, his great-grandmother, Leonia Wesolowska, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation for Thomas will take place from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. The funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, to St. Rosalie Church, 6750 W. Montrose Ave., Harwood Heights, for the funeral Mass at 11 a.m.