Thaddeus Gissel

THADDEUS GISSELAge 72 of Maple Park, passed away Saturday evening, December 29, 2007 at Delnor Community Hospital. Diagnosed with a very aggressive lung cancer scarcely two months ago, he passed from this life, surrounded by the true loves of his life; his devoted wife, Karin, and their adoring family. Thad was born June 20, 1935 at the family home in Chicago. He grew up in St. Michael’s parish and went on to graduate from St. Ignatius High School with the class of 1952. Two years later, a student at St. Ignatius College, and well aware of the rising conflict in Korea, Thad enlisted in the Marines and volunteered for overseas duty. To his surprise (and his loved one’s relief) they sent Thad to Hawaii where he served as a radio operator throughout his tour of duty. Returning home in 1957, he worked for the Northwestern Railroad and went back to college at Marquette University. When a buddy invited him to see the Russian Kaukaz Dance Company perform, he fell in love with a beautiful dancer, Karin Heft. Though she would always declare that she was neither Russian nor a dancer, she did indeed dance her way into Thad’s heart and just four months later, they were wed at St. Mary’s Church in West Chicago on August 5, 1961. They made their home in Milwaukee where Thad worked for a time for All State and Travellers Insurance. In 1965, they moved to Illinois and Thad worked for All Steel, Aurora before returning to the Northwestern Railroad. In 1974, Thad went into business for himself and formed G.S. Controls, an electrical design and contracting company. For Thad Gissel, "job one" was his family so it was no surprise that his business was based in the barn next door to his Troxel home. Thad had a knack for looking at complicated things, seeing simple solutions and being able to create them! His hard work and no-nonsense ethics made him a sought-after engineer but for Thad, success took second place to his family. Late in life, Thad discovered flying and enjoyed piloting he and Karin on a number of trips. But their travels didn’t stop there. They journeyed to Africa, Ecuador, Japan, England, Germany, Iceland and France – just to name a few. Thad also enjoyed photography and was especially fond of nature. Though his gun collection might have been the envy of any avid hunter, Thad would rather photograph than shoot wildlife. His brawny stature and stern gaze were the armor of a kind and gentle man with a heart as big as outdoors. Thad’s strength was his faith and his family. At home he was the kitchen gourmet adding his famous "Mystery Spices" to the stew and on vacation, baking pecan rolls that drew "would-be Gissels" by the dozens from Myrtle beach. When family and friends undertook home improvements or projects ran-a-muck, a call went straight away to "Uncle Thad". Like-wise, when family and friends needed directions in Chicago, Uncle Thad always knew the way and somehow, that "way" always had something to do with to Touhy Avenue. Without a doubt, when family and friends look back over their own lives, they’ll discover how many times their paths brought them back to Thad. MEMBERSHIPSHe was an active member of the Church of St. Mary, Maple Park, IL many years;The Knights of Columbus, Batavia where he was a Fourth Degree Knight;The Naperville Flying Club, Sycamore Sportsman Club and the Kane County Police Auxilliary.SURVIVORS In addition to his wife, Karin, he is survived by four children and their families:Susan Nakano and her family, Emily and Samantha Nakano of Schaumburg, ILKatherine (Patrick) Brennan and their family: Madeline, Nicholas and Joseph Brennan of Cortland, ILMichael (Karoline Kraupner) Gissel and their family : Sarah Gissel, Amanda Gissel of Clarksville, TN and Melissa Bullock of Sandwich, ILAnd Anne (Charles) Larson and their family: Lauren, Austin, Brooke and Sydney of Itasca, IL.Four siblings:Heidi (Joseph) Baker of Huntley, ILMadeline (Charles ) Bartsch of West Chicago, ILSusan (Aldo) Bon of Plainfield, IL, William (Ann) Gissel of Aledo, IL and John (Carrie) Gissel of Yorkville;Many nieces and nephews and a host of good friends. PRECEDED He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Genevieve (Permentier) Gissel.And one sister, Mary McChesney.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Thad’s name to benefit St. Mary’s Building Fund and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Thad Gissel 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 his obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information call 1-800-8 CONLEY.

VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be held Thursday, January 3, 2008 from 4pm to 8pm with a wake service to be held at 6:30pm. His funeral mass will be celebrated at the Church of St. Mary of the Assumption, County Line Road, Maple Park, Friday, January 4, 2008 at 10:30am. The Rev. Fr. Joachim Tyrtania will officiate.

Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Maple Park.