Thomas Esli Mathis, 86. of Urbana passed away at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18 at Accolade Healthcare on Pells in Paxton, Illinois. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 21 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel,1900 Philo Road, Urbana, Illinois 61802. A private Graveside Service will be held at Mt Olive Cemetery in Mayview, Illinois. Thomas was born May 30, 1934 in Urbana, Illinois the son of Harold and Beulah (Bunting) Mathis. He married Nancy Emly on December 23, 1953 in Champaign, Illinois. He is survived by his wife; two sons- Thomas Mathis of Ogden, William Mathis of Urbana; daughter- Emily (Rodney) Bensken of Marine, Illinois; brothers- Robert Mathis of Urbana and Charles Mathis of Kankakee; 10 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a daughter- Carol Gerontes, brother- Jimmy Mathis. Thomas was a farmer until his retirement in 1998 and worked 35 years for C-U MTD as a part time bus driver. He was a member of Champaign County Farm Bureau, Champaign Sportsman Club, TWTS Camping Club and Chamco-Sams Camping Club. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to OSF Hospice or American Diabetes Association. Condolences may be sent to www.renner-wikoffchapel.com