Walter Thomas

Walter Thomas, age 94, of Woodstock, passed away Aug. 10, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in McHenry to Elbert and Mabel (Pederson) Thomas. He married Dorothy Jensen on Sept. 23, 1944.

Walter served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1942 until 1945 and was a long-time member of the Woodstock VFW. He retired from Curran Contracting on Dec. 1, 1985, and had other jobs in the area. He owned four service stations in Woodstock, restored over 40 antique cars, and was a longtime member of the CAATS antique car club from Woodstock. Walter was also known for the grandfather who backed through the garage door in 2015 on a YouTube video. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Walter is survived by his wife; children, Sandra Freels of Woodstock, Peggy (Gordon) Koehler of Raleigh, N.C., and Kenneth (Peggy) Thomas of Woodstock; grandchildren, Mark and Annette Freels, Jeff and Chris Koehler, Rebecca Goers, Brian and Andrew Thomas; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Everett Thomas, and great-grandson, William.

There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 11 a.m. at McHenry County Memorial Park, 11301 Lake Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

For information, call Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815-338-1710 or see our website at www.slmcfh.com.