Raymond Thomas Chelius

Raymond Thomas Chelius, 68 of Reading passed away on March 4, 2025 surrounded by family at Reading Hospital. Those he loved called him Tom. Tom was the son of the late Raymond C. "Sonny" Chelius and Mildred G. (Wagoner) Chelius. Tom is survived by his wife Judith Ann (Kerr) Chelius and son Raymond John Thomas Chelius. Tom had 5 siblings that he loved very much: Maria (Chelius) Hassler, wife to late Marshall Hassler; Deborah (Chelius) Mellinger, husband Robert; Richard Chelius, wife Shelley; Yvonne (Chelius) Williams, husband Richard and Dennis Chelius, wife Sharon and children. Tom had 14 nieces and nephews and even more great nieces and nephews. Tom grew up in Greenfields by the Reading Airport. He graduated Schuylkill Valley High School and Kutztown University. At the age of 40 he bought a house in Sinking Spring and lived there for 20 years with his wife and son. In 2021, Tom and his family moved back to Greenfields where he lived at the time of his death. Tom had many careers that he loved. The first started at 15 years of age as a pot washer and rose to be an amazing Executive Chef at 26 years of age. He used his gift to create food for others many times in many different arenas throughout his life. Shortly after leaving the kitchen work behind, Tom entered rehab for drugs and alcohol. He recovered every day in which Judi and Thomas were very proud of his ability to stay drug and alcohol free for 35 plus years. Once he had his recovery in order, he began a second career as an entrepreneur in home rehabilitation. He had a company in Reading for 10 years "We buy houses". He bought and sold over 100 homes in the city of Reading, helping families find a forever home. He realized that the business of buying and selling homes was not stable in 2012. At that time, Tom decided to become a wastewater treatment operator. He did a great job purifying dirty water. Due to an injury, Tom left the wastewater treatment position and began working at Lowe's. He loved his Lowe's job. He always said he sold lightbulbs to little old ladies in aisle 12. During Tom's life, he was faithful to his church and missions. He visited missionaries in North America, South America and India. Tom loved people. He could talk with anyone and help anyone in need. During his life, he would visit the prison to help the men behind bars learn of Jesus. He would serve with his church at Hope Mission where he would talk to others about Jesus. Tom's favorite story of his conversion was when he was at an AA meeting. He saw this man sitting in the back of the room with his arms folded against his chest just smiling. One night he approached the man because he wanted to know, "what was with that smile". The man that night told him about Jesus. Tom had a smile on his face every time he told of his conversion from a drug and alcohol addicted man to a man that found life everlasting in Jesus. In lieu of flowers, please give to your local mission or charity in Tom's honor. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Thomas Chelius, please visit our floral store.