Carl Thomas Thunell, 77, of Maryville, IL, born on December 27, 1948, in Patterson, NJ, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Carl was a beloved husband and father who will be greatly missed. Carl and Sharon were high school sweethearts who married in 1969. Carl and Sharon were blessed with 3 beautiful children, Shaun, Carleen, and Chris. They were also blessed with 8 grandchildren. His absolute favorite people in this world were his grandchildren. They were a source of immense joy for him. Anyone who knew him knew that he beamed with pride when speaking about them. Carl loved spending time with his family. One of his favorite things to do for his family was grilling, he could serve you a gourmet meal off the grill. Carl had many hobbies throughout the years, some of his favorites were fishing, golfing and swimming. He spent many weekends out on a boat fishing or swinging his clubs at the golf course.
Carl served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Carl served as a Division Manager for the Department of Veteran Affairs for 25 years. Carl was also Vice President of the O’Fallon Boosters Club, member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of the Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, John Joseph and Margaret Rose Thunell (née Nilon); his beloved wife, Sharon E. Thunell (née Fayne); and two brothers, John J. Thunell and Rodger Thunell.
Left to cherish Carl’s memory are his children, Shaun (Jennifer) Thunell, Carleen (David) Bendel, Christopher (Ann) Thunell; and brother, Robert R. (Michelle) Thunell of Egg Harbor, NJ, and eight grandchildren, Delaney Thunell, Owen Thunell, Adler Bendel, Finley Bendel, Ainsley Thunell, Moira Thunell, Cormac Thunell, and Seamus Thunell.
Memorial donations in Carl’s name may be made for Masses at Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, https://www.mphmaryville.org/giving; or to the Royal Order of the Hibernians, https://aoh.com/aoh-online-donations/. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.
A visitation will take place on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., at Schildknecht Funeral Home; 301 S. Lincoln Ave., O’Fallon, IL 62269.
Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, October 19. 2026, at 11:30 a.m., at Schildknecht Funeral Home, with Fr. Rob Johnson officiating.
A private burial will follow.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.
