Chester Clarence Thomas

Chester Clarence Thomas, 92, of Sullivan, Illinois, formerly of Findlay, Illinois, passed away at 6:45 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Mason Point in Sullivan, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Findlay, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Friday, December 1, 2017 at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Findlay, Illinois. Burial will be at Wright Cemetery in Findlay, Illinois with Military Rites performed by the Findlay American Legion Clarence Bixler Post 409. Memorials may be given to the Findlay American Legion Clarence Bixler Post 409. Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Findlay, Illinois is assisting the family.

Chester was born in Leslie, Arkansas on February 3, 1925 to Wilse and Mollie (Gibbons) Thomas. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at the age of 13 and enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18. Chester served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1942-45 in the 263rd Engineer Combat Battalion as a Tank Commander. He was awarded several medals for his wartime efforts including the Silver Star, Bronze Medal and a Purple Heart. He received a Letter of Citation "Valor" from the Ambassador of France. After the war, he worked as a tractor/auto mechanic and a farmhand. Chester was a good hearted and generous man who was always ready to lend a helping hand whenever he was needed.

Chester is survived by his children: Donna Lynn Halleck, Anna (Roy) McKown, Mary Paul, Rebecca Viera, Jim Paul and Cindy Brandt; grandchildren: Ian Brown, Erica Blaydes, Allison Blaydes, Chase Halleck, Amie Blandford, John Thompson, Joseph Rogers, Jeffery Rogers, Constance Humphrey, Joshua Viera, Wesley Viera, Billy Bob Viera and Jamie Paul; 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Preceding Chester in death were his parents, wives Zora Thomas and Hazel Marie Thomas, sons Clarence Adams, Kennon Adams and Coy Joe Thomas, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.

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