Frank D. Thomas

NAME Frank D. Thomas, age 68, of Geneva, passed away at his home, surrounded by the love of his family, following a year- long courageous battle with cancer. Though his spirit never floundered and he fought every inch of the way, his body lost the battle and gave way to his ascension to a new life in heaven on Sunday, February 18, 2007. BORN: He was born on September 3, 1938 the son of Albert and Dolly (Repp) Thomas in Albia, IA. EARLY YEARS:Frank grew up in Albia and attended local schools. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY In 1953 the family moved to Elburn, IL, like many in the area, to work at the Elburn Packing Plant where he remained for 31 years until they closed the doors in 1986. Frank’s work ethic was still strong as ever, so soon after the closing he began working for Timing Gear in St. Charles and spent the next 10 years doing maintenance work until his retirement in 1996.MARRIAGE In 1957 Frank was united in marriage to Marcella Maier or as Frank would often say,"One of them Maier women in Sugar Grove." They began their new life together and lived in a house trailer on her father’s farm on Rt. 47. Soon thereafter, they moved to Maple St. in Sugar Grove and two short years later they moved once more in 1960 to their current home in Geneva and made a lifetime of memories for the next 47 years.LIFE NOTES Frank was an "ace mechanic" and had a passion for antique cars, including his classic 1941 Ford truck that occupied many of his hours in the later years. Many engines and transmissions were repaired or replaced in his garage and it was there that he passed on his "fever" for automobiles to his children and grandchildren. Frank had a true "Do It Yourself" spirit, he knew how to fix anything and if a tool didn’t exist to fix the problem, he made his own. He held court in the garage passing on a remarkable encyclopedia of knowledge to a new generation of "little grease-monkeys" that inevitably got their hands dirty in the process. He was also a collector of clocks and his house boasted of 29 different varieties, but all were tinkered, toiled and tweaked by Frank. He loved to play Pitch and Poker with friends and family. They spent many Saturday nights for several years engrossed in a traveling Poker game. If there was one man Frank was in awe of, it was John Wayne. He watched westerns starring "The Duke" countless times throughout the years sending all who didn’t into the another room to watch something else. Frank was one to think of others before himself. He gave of his time, talent, love and friendship to all who were in need. Above all, his grandchildren held a special place in his heart. They were sure were to bring a smile to his face when no one else could and had him wrapped around their little fingers. To his families chagrin, Frank wouldn’t have it any other way and loved every minute of it. SURVIVORS He now leaves his loving wife of almost 50 years, Marcella Thomas, One son, Tom (Cathy) Thomas of Aurora, IL;Three grandchildren:Allyson, Dustin and Kirsten;Many nieces and nephews and a great family of friends that will miss him greatly. PRECEDED He now joins his parents; One sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Richard Chidester and a brother and sister-in-law, Phil and Shirley Thomas who preceded him in death. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Frank Thomas Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through www.conleycare.com. For additional information, please call 1-800-8CONLEY.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2007, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn.A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held Friday, February 23, also at Conley Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Steve Good, pastor of the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Interment will follow at River Hills Cemetery, Batavia, IL.