Charles Edward Thomas, Jr, 84, of Berwyn, IL, passed away November, 4, 2023.

Charles is survived by his wife of 61 years, Diane; son Michael Thomas; daughters Cheryl (Tom) Caputo and Darleen Horvath; grandchildren, Amanda and Jarrett Thomas, Sara Caputo-Williams, and Eric Horvath; and great grandchildren, Dawson and Remington Brown. Loving brother of Dorothy Zukoski and Rosemary Majcen. Fond uncle to many nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Edward Thomas Sr., and mother, Pauline Thomas. Charles was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and good friend to everyone.

Charles “Chuck” loved football; he played in high school and was a longtime fan of the Chicago Bears. He worked at Western Electric in Cicero, IL for 30 years, as both a Quality Checker and Supervisor, where he met many lifelong friends. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, chopping and splitting wood for his woodstove, gardening, watching military and history programs, competing in a pistol shooting league, taking and developing photographs, welding, heating and air conditioning work, auto body work, and clearing snow for his neighbors.  He was particularly gifted at telling stories and jokes to anyone he met, playing silly pranks on his grandchildren, and taking care of his pet German Shepherd dogs over the years. Chuck especially loved talking and reminiscing during visits and time spent with family, neighbors, and friends.  He was always there for everyone he knew, helping without hesitation wherever he felt he could. He had a strong belief in God and in the power of prayer.

Chuck met his lifelong love and best friend Diane when he was invited along to a Dynamites Club party by his sister Rosemary (because they needed more boys to attend). After several years of dating, they reached a crossroads where they did not know what the future held – Chuck had just been drafted into the US Army, and Diane was in nursing school. With nothing for certain except his love for her, he asked Diane to marry him. After all – as he would like to say – “she deserved the best”. Chuck kept his promise, and throughout their marriage would make sure she knew she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Together, he and Diane faced all of life’s joys and challenges side by side, and he was exceedingly devoted to the family they built. Chuck could always make Diane laugh and smile with his lively jokes and engaging humor. The same could surely be said for anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. He will be deeply missed and remembered the way he would want – with a smile and a laugh.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 9:00 PM at Hallowell and James Funeral Home on Friday, November 10, 2023. Final prayers begin at 9:00am on Saturday, with procession leading to the 10:00am Funeral Mass at Saint Leonard’s Catholic Church in Berwyn.  Procession from Church to final resting place at Resurrection Cemetery, with a graveside Military service. Funeral information: 708-352-6500