Earl H. Thomas, formerly of Spring Grove, passed peacefully, at age 95, on June 17, 2017. He was the youngest and last surviving child of 10 children born to William H. Thomas and Ella Enright Thomas. In his life, he had a wide range of experiences, including farm life in Iowa and Wisconsin, dairy delivery in McHenry and Hinsdale, and insurance sales with MetLife. His experience with dairy delivery and MetLife resulted in a perfect knowledge of all roads in the area until his passing. Earl served in the 43rd Division of the Army, in the Philippines and Japan, during WWII. He was joined in marriage to Virginia Wilhelm, a union which lasted 51 years until her death. Earl and Virginia had 2 children, William (Marianne) of Hinsdale, and Patricia (Richard) Thompson of Mauldin, South Carolina. Earl had four grandchildren, Christiane (Ralph) Sorenson, Laura (Keith) Murray, Diana (Raymond) Zakrzwski, and John (Denise) Thompson; five great grandchildren, Ella and Ethan Murray, and Thomas, Mark, and Michael Zakrzwski. Earl was later joined to Mary Hedge for 24 years and is survived by her many beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Earl was a longtime, active member of Mount Hope United Methodist Church in Johnsburg. The family is especially thankful to Pastor Lori Bee and member, Dotti Thurlwell, who were with Earl in his final moments. The visitation will be Friday, June 23, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake. The committal will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 24, at the Clarendon Hills Cemetery Chapel, 6900 Cass Ave., Darien. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Earl’s name may be made to Mount Hope UMC, 1015 W. Broadway St., Johnsburg, IL 60051.

Published in the Northwest Herald on June 21, 2017