Raymond Henry Thill

The family of Raymond Henry Thill, Jr., age 87 of Berwyn, announce with mixed emotions that, on September 13, 2024, he succumbed to his long illness.  It is a sad day but not a bad day.  We mourn our loss but are grateful that he has found earthly peace and can now share in his eternal reward for a life lived well as a faithful servant of the Lord.

The Bible has God telling both Adam and Noah to “be fertile and multiply.”  With 14 children, 45 grandchildren, and an ever-growing number of great grandchildren, Ray can certainly check that box.  But to measure any man simply by the number of his progeny would misvalue his place in this world.  Fathering is mere biology, but being a Dad is a calling.  Being a Dad to 14 kids is a calling on steroids. 

Ray was a mechanical engineer by trade but so much more in devotion – teacher, coach, mentor, disciplinarian – whatever Dad-role was needed in the moment.  He was a shining example of what it means to live in the light of Christ and to be a partner in parenting.  To the end, he continued to teach us in his actions, showing a vulnerability that contrasted the rock-like strength that anchored his family for many decades, always with a gratefulness to his children and other caregivers that nursed him to the end. 

We, their children, are forever grateful for the loving example our parents have been for us throughout our lives, setting a bar that drives us to be better parents and better people.  In that regard, our failures are our own, but our successes are theirs.   We will forever miss his sharp wit, crooked smile and the twinkle in his eyes.

Ray was preceded in death by Barbara, his wife of 59 years and the other pillar of this family.  Their children, and the incredible spouses so integral to this family, are: Raymond III (Lauran), Thomas (Deborah), David (Christine), Lawrence, Edward (Sharla), Mary (Dennis) Strong, Elizabeth (Michael) Majewski, Theresa (Michael) Belsan, Joseph (Bridget), Christopher (Lisa), Bernadette (Brian) Perez, George (Dena), Agnes (Michael) Halmon, and Nicholas (Meloney). 

Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 3:00-8:00pm at Heritage Funeral Home, 3117 S. Oak Park Avenue, Berwyn, IL.  All are welcome to join in the Holy Rosary at 7:30 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30am on Friday, September 20, 2024 at St. Odilo Catholic Church, 2244 East Avenue, Berwyn, IL followed by a procession to Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, IL .

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Saint Odilo Parish.

https://parish.saintodilo.org/donate.html

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.