Thomas Keith Allesee passed to his eternal heavenly home on September 29, 2025.

He was born on July 11, 1936 to Florence and George D Allesee, Sr. in LaPorte, Indiana. He played basketball for the LPHS and sang in the Acapella choir, graduating in 1955. He began college at Indiana University singing for the “Singing Hoosiers,” a memory he held dear. He transferred to Indiana State Teacher’s College, (later, University) where he met his wife, Bernadine Johns in the choir! They married September 5, 1959 and he graduated from ISU in June of 1960 and had their first child a month later. (He later received a masters degree from ISU)

Tom began teaching in 1960 in Galena township, LaPorte Indiana, and soon transferred to Park Elementary School where he also coached basketball. Perhaps this is where he should have remained, but with a second child on the way, took the pay increase to teach at the 7th grade school and then remained at Boston Jr. high school until 1978. The appeal of warmer weather had been on Tom and Bernadine’s minds since marriage, so they left LaPorte for Port Charlotte, Fl with their two sons, a jr. and 1st grader as their daughter stayed in IN for college. Tom taught in Lee County and then high school compensatory math in Arcadia, Fl, but ultimately, left teaching. After helping at home after the birth of their third son, Tom worked at Casa Pools and as a transporter at St. Joseph hospital, where he enjoyed talking to and helping the patients.

Singing kept Tom’s voice strong as he and Bernadine continued to serve in their church choirs. Their current church, The First Presbyterian in Port Charlotte, Tom was remembered for his wit and stories. Though he could be very cantankerous, he was beloved by many. During the sign of peace, Dad would say aloud, “Shalom!” After Dad’s passing, their pastor said, “Who will take the place of Tom?”

Dad shared his love of music, movies and letter writing with many, but especially to his family.

We won’t forget him walking into an already begun movie saying, “what are you watching, seven buckets of blood?” We don’t know if that was even a movie!

He leaves behind his devoted wife of 66 years, Bernadine and his children Susan Allesee Nagel (Dale), Keith (Julie), Erik (Irene) and Kevin. Also, his beloved grandchildren Alex and Neil Allesee, Angela Nagel, Graham (Malorie) Nagel, Dylan and Kaiden Allesee and one great grandson, Alex Hunter Allesee.

He’s also survived by sister in law’s, Peggy Allesee and Phyllis Johns and many nephews and nieces.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sister in laws, George D. Jr and Jo, Richard, Robert and Maggie and sister Margie. Also, sister in laws Carol Griswald, Roberta Sweitzer and brother in law, Robert Johns.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 2230 Hariet St, Port Charlotte, Florida on April 1 at 11:00am. A family celebration of life will be held in July in LaPorte, Indiana, on what would have been his 90th birthday. He will be buried in the Pine Lake Cemetery.