Thomas G. Brhel

WASHINGTON—Thomas “Tom” G. Brhel, 70, of Washington, IL and Spring, TX, died at 8:06 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born November 6, 1938 to John Joseph Brhel, Sr. and Mary H. (Valusek) Brhel in Endicott, NY (both deceased). He married his best friend, Lorna Hardy, on February 2, 1960 in Peoria, IL; she survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Christina (Christopher) Flynn of Morton, IL and a twin daughter, Joyce (Teodoro) Chavez of Spring, TX; 3 grandsons, Nicholas Flynn of Arlington, VA, Zachary Flynn of Peoria, IL, Lucian Chavez of Spring, TX; 1 granddaughter, Iliana Chavez of Spring, TX; a niece, Heather Mooney and nephew, Johnny Joe Brhel; his brother, John Brhel, Jr. and sister, Kathy Brhel; mother-in-law, S. Joyce Hardy and sister-in-law, Reba Mooney. He was preceded in death by Joyce’s twin sister, Mary Marie Brhel on August 31, 1969, nephew Michael Mooney II in 2007, father-in-law Frank C. Hardy in 2008, brother-in-law Michael Mooney in 2002 and brother Edward Brhel in 1995. Tom was a US Air Force Veteran. Tom attended Endicott-Johnson High School, Electrical Training School in the Air Force, and Southwest Oregon College. He was proud to be the first student at Illinois Central College when they first opened. He also attended Bradley University in Peoria. Tom worked as a Supervising Editor at Caterpillar, Inc. retiring on December 1, 2001 after 36 years. He was a member and former deacon of Roland Manor Baptist Church and attended Cornerstone Baptist Church when in Texas. He was a member of the American Legion Post #100, the Northern Tazewell Jaycees, YMCA Indian Guides, Northern Tazewell Recreation Association, Farmington Sportsmans’ Club, and the Kennel Lakes Sportsmans’ Club. Tom’s best hobby was his wife, Lorna. He also loved his grandchildren and children very much. He was an original Minnesota Vikings fan, loved camping, fishing, coaching and umpiring, as well as photography, crossword puzzles and reading. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, July 25 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday, July 24 at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Morton.

Thomas G. Brhel

November 6, 1938 - July 22, 2009