Edward C. "Ed" Thilk

Edward "Ed" C. Thilk, age 80, passed away on September 28, 2025.
Ed was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 2, 1945 to the late Allen and the late Dorothy Thilk.
Beloved husband of 53 years to Gwen Thilk, nee Stickel. Loving father to Chris (Anne) and Jacob (Nicole.) Cherished grandfather to Nolan and Evan. Dearest brother of Allen and John (Laura.) Fond uncle to many nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park, Ed served in Korea as part of the U.S. Army learning important lessons he would pass on later, such as how to siphon gas out of a tank with a hose and other skills his children never knew quite what to make of.
After leaving the Army he began what would be a 30+ year career at Montgomery Ward, working his way up from the parts warehouse in Berkley–where he would eventually meet his future wife Gwen (thanks to an introduction from Gwen's mother Althea)–to the corporate headquarters in Chicago.
Ed's faith led him to serve as elder, usher, Sunday School teacher and more at Concordia Lutheran Church, Hillside (now Hope Lutheran Church) and later at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elmhurst.
More than anything else, Ed was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and nephew who cared deeply for each and every member of his family. Anyone who knew him knew this and soon discovered his other passions included horseshoes, the Chicago Cubs, working on engines of all shapes and sizes, telling jokes that no one knew quite how to react to, following side roads to find obscure locations on road trips and much more.
A visitation will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL, 567 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst, Illinois. A chapel service will begin at 6 p.m. at the funeral home during Friday's visitation. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed's name to the National Kidney Foundation. Gift Processing at National Kidney Foundation HQ 30 East 33rd Street New York, NY 10016
For more information, (630) 834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFH.com.