Charles I. Thomas

Charles Ivan Thomas of Washington, Illinois, died peacefully at home on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Charlie, as he was lovingly called, was born on September 13, 1936, in Peoria, Illinois, to Alfred and Anna Thomas. He was raised in Peoria until the family moved to Washington.

Charlie grew up to become a United States Army Veteran, a devoted husband, an exceptional father of three, and a successful businessman, owning and operating Charlie's Rental Center in Sunnyland, Illinois, for 21 years.

In his early childhood, he enjoyed life in Peoria and would fondly point out his childhood home and grade school whenever the opportunity arose. At the end of World War II, the local newspaper gave him and his friends a stack of newspapers declaring the end of the war, and he stood on a street corner selling them for 10 cents apiece.

In his teenage years, the Thomas family moved to the small town of Washington, Illinois. There, Charlie met the love of his life, Sue Bradle, while attending Washington Community High School. They married on October 26, 1958, before Charlie was drafted into the Army. He was assigned to the US Army's Company B, 1st Air Recon Support Battalion, and was honorably discharged in October of 1962. When his enlistment ended, they settled back in Washington to be close to family and high school friends. It was there they raised their three children, Steve, Stan, and Elizabeth, and ensured they had a safe, secure, and small-town upbringing. Their marriage spanned 38 wonderful years until Sue's passing in November 1996.

In 1969, Charlie joined his uncle and brother in launching the American Rental Center. The company grew to five locations throughout Central Illinois, and in 1980, Charlie and Sue embarked on their own rental center in Sunnyland, Illinois—Charlie's Rental Center. 'The store,' as the family referred to it, was a second home for not only Charlie and Sue but also all three children, as each worked alongside their parents to help the business succeed. Their eldest son, Steve, worked with Charlie until Charlie's retirement in 2001.

Charlie enjoyed bowling on the Wednesday Night Businessman's Bowling League for many years, was a dedicated St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears fan, and regularly attended WCHS at home football and basketball games. His love of golf transpired into working at Hillcrest Golf Course in his retirement, where you could find him on any given Sunday after church, sharing a cup of coffee with friends.

Charlie was also a man of faith and devoted to the word of God. He and Sue were members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Washington, Illinois. Not only was his faith strong, but he also served his community in many ways. Charlie was a distinguished two-term President of the Washington Kiwanis Club, drove the elderly to and from appointments in his retirement, and was a dedicated volunteer at the Midwest Food Bank in Peoria, Illinois, until he was 88 years old.

Charlie is survived by his three children: Steven Thomas of East Peoria, Illinois, who is married to Sara and has one step-daughter, Taylor Gilmore; Stan Thomas of Bend, Oregon, widower of Monica Melkonian and has one son, Austen Thomas, and one step-son, Chad Russel; and Elizabeth "Betsy" Lesley of Aubrey, Texas who is married to Brian and has one son, Grant Lesley. One great-grandchild, Rowan Gilmore. Brothers and sisters Lillian Cagle, Carol Crutchley, Dale Thomas, John Thomas, and Suzanna Gurule. Charlie is preceded in death by the love of his life, Sue Thomas, and brothers Gene and James Thomas.

He was a pillar in his community, a man of his word, and the best son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather anyone could wish for. He will be missed by all.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11 am on Friday, January 24, 2025, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Washington. Pastor Dick Hanson will officiate. Visitation will be 4 pm until 6 pm on Thursday January 23, 2024, at Mason-White Funeral Home and from 10 am until 10:45 am on Friday at the church. Burial will follow his service at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. In Lieu of flowers, and in honor of Charlie's years of volunteer work, the family requests donations be made to the Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Peoria at midwestfoodbank.org. Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington has been entrusted with arrangements.