Fitzgerald Funeral Home

Tom  “Buddah” graduated from Carrol College as a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity and a member of the 1976-1977 NCAA Championship football team. He also played football for the Rockford Rams semi-pro football team. He married Christine Kostka in 1979 and re-married her in 2002. Tom worked as an insurance agent and most recently as a loan manager for World Finance Company. Tom had a lifelong passion for cards, dice, cribbage and other games including cash poker tournaments. He mastered every one and mentored generations of people in all of these games. Tom was a family man, a proud grandfather, a friend to many and will be greatly missed by all. Son of James and Donna (Bolen) Kostka, Rockford, Tom is survived by his wife, Christine; his children, Randy (Erin) Faasuamalie of Madison, WI, Scott (Louise) Otey of Beloit, Beverly (Ken) Houghton of Beloit, Thomas (Katie Buklis) Kostka, Jr. of Rockford, and Crystal (Nathan) Grosskopf of Beloit; his grandchildren Monona and Felix Faasuamalie, Lilee, Liv and Adia Otey, Blake Miller, Troy Kostka, Autumn Justus, Austin Serna and Rudy Cochran; his mother, Donna of MN and Mother-in-law, Grace  Konter, Beloit, his brothers Tim (Deb) Kostka of TX and Dan (Shelly) Kostka of MN; his sister-in-law, Karen Phelan of Rockford; several nieces and nephews including his special nephew, Chuck Kostka. Predeceased by his father, James, two brothers Jim and Chuck and his special Auntie Lou. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, with Pastor Randy Kiger of Central Christian Church in Beloit, WI officiating. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.