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Thomas Brhel Obituary
WASHINGTON - Thomas "Tom" G. Brhel, 70, of Washington, Ill., and Spring, Texas, died at 8:06 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
He was born Nov. 6, 1938, to John Joseph Brhel Sr. and Mary H. Valusek in Endicott, N.Y. He married his best friend, Lorna Hardy, on Feb. 2, 1960, in Peoria, Ill. She survives.
Also surviving are his daughter, Christina (Christopher) Flynn of Morton, Ill., and a twin daughter, Joyce (Teodoro) Chavez of Spring, Texas; three grandsons, Nicholas Flynn of Arlington, Va., Zachary Flynn of Peoria, Ill., and Lucian Chavez of Spring, Texas; one granddaughter, Iliana Chavez of Spring, Texas; a niece, Heather Mooney; a nephew, Johnny Joe Brhel; his brother, John Brhel Jr.; sister, Kathy Brhel; mother-in-law, S. Joyce Hardy; and sister-in-law, Reba Mooney.
He was preceded in death by Joyce's twin sister, Mary Marie Brhel on Aug. 31, 1969; nephew, Michael Mooney II in 2007; father-in-law, Frank C. Hardy in 2008; brother-in-law, Michael Mooney in 2002; and brother, Edward Brhel in 1995.
Tom was a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Tom attended Endicott-Johnson High School, Electrical Training School in the Air Force and Southwest Oregon College. He was proud to be the first student at Illinois Central College when they first opened. He also attended Bradley University in Peoria.
Tom worked as a supervising editor at Caterpillar Inc., retiring on Dec. 1, 2001, after 36 years.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 100, the Northern Tazewell Jaycees, YMCA Indian Guides, Northern Tazewell Recreation Association, Farmington Sportsman's Club and the Kennel Lakes Sportsman's Club.
Tom's best hobby was his wife, Lorna. He also loved his grandchildren and children very much.
He was an original Minnesota Vikings fan and loved camping, fishing, coaching and umpiring as well as photography, crossword puzzles and reading.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Morton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital or to the Dream Factory.
Tom's memorial Web site will be available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com, where condolences may be made to the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Brhel
5 Entries
Edward Johnson
August 8, 2009
Lorna,
Diana and I are very sad to learn of Tom's passing. Tom and I worked together at Caterpillar. That started in Building W in E. Peoria then to Building E at the Tech Center. Diana and I met you in 1970 or 1971. I last saw Tom at Building AD just before he retired. I hope the many happy memories will help you and your family get through this most difficult time. Our prayers are with you.
Ed Johnson (MEC Retired)
July 24, 2009
Lorna, Chris and Joyce,
I just read in the Journal Star (online) today of Tom's passing. George and I both offer our sincere sympathy to you all. I hope that you remember us from Roland Manor church. We have been gone 20 years but we still have good memories from there.
Our love and prayers to you all.
Jo Ann Crowder
Doris and Mark Lee
July 24, 2009
Christina,
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your father. It's still hard to imagine life without Mark's dad, but somehow we are muddling through. Only time will help with your grief. Take care of yourself and your family. They need you now very much.
Karen Harvey
July 24, 2009
Lorna and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He will be remembered as a good and decent man who loved his family. Find comfort in knowing that Tom is in God's safe hands and we will all be together again one day.
Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you all,
Karen (Griffin) Harvey & Family
July 24, 2009
LORNA,CHRIS,JOYCE MY WIFE AND I ARE DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF THOM.WHENEVER WE RAN INTO THOM AT THE GROCERY STORE OR GAS STATION HE WAS ALWAYS INTERESTED IN OUR LIFE AND KIDS AND HOW THINGS WERE GOING FOR US. HE WAS A VERY GENUINE PERSON IT SEEMS THE CONVERSATION ALWAYS GOT AROUND TO THE VIKINGS AND MUTUAL LOVE AND HEART BRAKE FOR THEM. OUR VIKING FRIEND WILL BE MISSED BUT WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE OUR MEMORIES OF HIM. LOVE MIKE & TONYA WILEMAN
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