Christopher Paul Thies (67) of Effingham

Christopher Paul Thies, 67, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL, surrounded in love from his family.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, September 20, 2021 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham, IL. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Please wear a mask for all services and practice social distancing guidelines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Effingham County Veterans Memorial Fund, American Legion Post 120 Baseball, or the Ronald McDonald House. Online condolencesmay be shared by clicking here.

Chris was born on April 26, 1954 in Effingham, IL, the son of William “Bill” and Clara (Vondenbosch) Thies. He started his working career at a young age selling newspapers, then working in the family business, Thies Paint Store. After his graduation in 1972 from St. Anthony High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country from 1972-1974. Returning to Effingham after his service, he worked at World Color Press for many years, owned his own business: Cookie’s Detail, worked many years at Effingham Truck Sales and retired from Rush Truck Sales in 2020.

Chris had a great love for his country and a desire to see the veterans who have served the United States of America from Effingham County honored and recognized. He was instrumental in the concept, design, funding and building of the Effingham County Veterans Memorial on the lawn by the Old Courthouse Museum. He worked tirelessly to raise money and funding to complete this project and get veterans names etched on the Memorial. He was dedicated to seeing that every veteran’s name would be etched at no cost to the veteran or their family.

He loved the Chicago Cubs and knew they would one day win a Series. And they did! He loved to golf and recently got his first eagle! But most of all, he loved God, his family and his friends.  He is loved and will be missed greatly.

Chris is survived by his wife of 24 years, Teresa (Rhodes) Thies; sons, Christopher William Thies (Rhonda) of Effingham, IL, John Thies (Michelle) of St. Louis, MO, and David Thies (Rachae) of Imperial, MO; stepsons, Jacob Torbeck (Jackie) of Chicago, IL, Dane Torbeck (Renee) of Champaign, IL, and Nikolas Torbeck of Effingham, IL; grandchildren, Reanne Thies, Mackenzie Thies, Colton Thies, Andilyn Thies, Emma Thies, Ethan Thies, Edmund Torbeck, Miriam Torbeck, Soren Torbeck, Cora Torbeck and Mabel Torbeck; siblings, Robert Thies, Bernadette Niemann, Eileen (Tom) Springer, Theresa (Larry) Masengale and Larry (Cindy) Thies; sister-in-law, Evelyn Thies; brothers-in-law, Darel (Melissa) Rhodes and Darren Rhodes; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Clara Thies; brothers, Thomas Thies and Joseph Thies; granddaughters, Mallarie Thies and Edith Torbeck; sister-in-law, Shirley Thies; brother-in-law, John Niemann; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Darel and Genine Rhodes; and sister-in-law, Jody Rhodes.