Delmar D. "Del" Thomas

1936 - 2024

Delmar D. "Del" Thomas

June 28, 1936 - April 6, 2024

HUDSON - Delmar D. "Del" Thomas, age 87, of Hudson, IL, passed away at 5:06 AM on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal IL.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and the funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Both will be at Calvary Baptist Church, 1017 N. School St., Normal, IL. Pastor Matt Horine will be officiating. Burial will be at Hudson Township Cemetery, Hudson, IL. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Calvary Baptist Church, Normal, IL.

Arrangements are being handled by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL.

Del was born June 28, 1936 in Bloomington, IL the son of Peter and Lucille Goodman Thomas.

He married Jacqueline "Jackie" Arbuckle on September 20, 1958. She survives.

Also surviving are his two children: Brenda (Terry) Espy, Eads, TN, Jeff (Laura) Thomas, Hudson, IL;

eight grandchildren: Thomas Espy, Abby (Travis) Dean, Liz Espy, Anna (Zach Smith) Espy, Emma Espy, Peter (fiance, Chelsea Hatfield) Espy, Aidan Espy, Emory (fiance, Abby Knapp) Thomas; and one great-grandson, Adam Dean.

Del is preceded in death by his parents, four sisters: Doris Carr, Marilyn Dalton, twin sister, Mitzie Koos and Jan Kaufman.

Del served in the Illinois National Guard for seven years. He was "employed" at State Farm Insurance for 45 years. He also worked part time at the County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy.

But his real passion was the fire service. He joined the Hudson Fire Department in 1971 and worked his way through the ranks to become Chief. He served as Chief for 19 years. He was instrumental in starting the McLean County Firefighters Association, the Association's Fire School, and the annual fire prevention parade which is now named in his honor.

Del enjoyed telling stories and making people laugh. He loved his coffee group, eating at the Carlock Family Restaurant, his grandchildren, his daughter and son, his dog, Stella, but most of all his wife of 66 years.

Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com.