Thomas Slaninka

Crystal Lake, Illinois,Thomas "Tom" Frank Slaninka, 72, of Oakwood Hills, entered into eternal life, Friday, April 29, 2011. Tom was born on July 8, 1938, to Emil and Elsie (nee Rehak) Slaninka, in Chicago, IL. Tom worked for Motorola for 38 years. He began his career as an Industrial Engineer in 1960. He advanced through various assignments within this business, eventually becoming Inventory Control and Systems Manager. Tom then progressed to Material Operations Manager, Manufacturing Operations Manager and the Director of Manufacturing Operations in the Fixed Products Division. In 1989, Tom became the Director of Sector Sourcing for the Communications Sector. Throughout his career, Tom established new directions and set new standards of excellence. His reputation as a strategic thinker and process champion in the sourcing arena is established throughout the industry and supplier community. He represented Motorola at various industry forums; he participated in leadership conferences on sourcing as a guest speaker at General Electric, IBM, 3M and many other corporations, as well as at governmental conferences in Ireland and India. He made the cover of "Purchasing" magazine, a national publication for purchasing professionals, bringing Motorola well-earned recognition as a leader in this area. He is survived by his wife, Merle (nee Singer) of 50 years; children, Laura (Tom) Healy, Julie (Mark) Nystrom, Chris (Matt) Hintz, Carrie (John) Wagner, Nancy (Paul) Forster; grandchildren, Eileen, Kerri, and Liam Healy, Jack, Kate, Brett, and Brian Nystrom, Renee Hintz and Jason Hintz, Jessica Wagner and Mark Wagner, Nick Forster and Andrew Forster; brother, Richard (Marilyn) Slaninka, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, from 3-9pm, at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, May 4, at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, 410 North First Street, Cary IL, 60013, preceded by an hour of visitation at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in memory of Thomas Slaninka, to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 651 W. Washington Blvd., Suite 400 Chicago, IL, 60661 or 312-651-7350.

---