Charles M. Thomley

Thomley, Charles M. "Chuck" MCFARLAND-Charles M. "Chuck" Thomley, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 at the age of 75. He was born on November 15, 1935 in Whitehall, Wisc., the son of Lester and Olga (Jermstad) Thomley, Sr. Chuck graduated from Hixton High School in 1953, Luther College in 1957 and received his Masters degree in Choral Conducting from Occidental College in California in 1964. In the Army, he was pleased with his assignment as chaplains assistant where he played the organ, often wearing combat boots. The highlight of his army career was when he conducted the Orleans American Chorus in Handels Messiah in December 1959 in Orleans, France. He married the love of his life, Joan "Jo" R. Rasmuson on July 9, 1966 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Whitehall, Wisc. He was a high school Choir Director in the Osseo, Mequon and McFarland School Districts, as well as church organist at McFarland Lutheran Church. In 1980, he became Business Administrator at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. Soon after his sons were accepted into the Madison Boychoir, Chuck was asked to be an assistant director under Carrel Pray. His church choir directing included Osseo Lutheran, First Lutheran in Stoughton, McFarland Lutheran and St. Stephens Lutheran in Monona. He was privileged to accompany the Bethel Mass Choir on the Overture Center organ at Bethel Lutherans 150th Anniversary celebration. He was very proud to serve on the Friends of the Overture Concert Organ Board. His other musical endeavors included a personal organ recital in conjunction with the Rochester Brassworks. He has also been Vice-President of the Madison Association Musicians/American Guild of Organists Chapter. As an organist, he loved filling in for churches in the Madison area, especially at Bethel Lutheran Church. Chuck and his wife Jo entertained many people with their piano/organ duets. For fun, he played for a local singing duo called, "I Hear Singing" who performed at local nursing and retirement homes and parties. But most of all, he loved accompanying his sonssinging. He was involved in the leadership of the American Choral Directors Association, including being President of the North Central Division and Assistant Chairman of the National ACDA Conventions in Nashville, San Antonio and Salt Lake City. He loved to travel, especially by train, and visited many countries as a part-time travel agent with various choirs, bands and other musical organizations to destinations in the United States, Greece, Spain, England, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Holy Land, Sweden, Denmark and Norway (the real Holy Land). In his retirementChuck enjoyed cooking. He is survived by his wife, Jo Thomley of McFarland; brother, Lester "Sonny" (Karen) Thomley, Jr. of Osseo, Wisc.; sons, Chad (Melissa) Thomley of Verona, Troy (Barb) Thomley of Stewartville, Minn.; four wonderful grandchildren, Anna and Allison Thomley of Verona, Domonique and Andre Thomley of Stewartville, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Olga Thomley, and sister, Mary Torgeson. Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, with the Rev. Duane Hanson presiding. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday. A memorial will be established in his name at Bethel Lutheran Church. Chuck will be remembered as 100% Norwegian, who was a caring friend to all, faithful, steady and warm, with a great sense of humor. Memorials: A memorial will be established in his name at Bethel Lutheran Church. Visitation: Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday. Service: Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, with the Rev. Duane Hanson presiding.