Alan Ray Thode, age 80, of Tolono, Illinois, passed away on September 19, 2026, at Carle Hospital. He was born on the 4th of July, 1946, at Jarman Hospital in Tuscola, Illinois, the first-born son of Max R. and Virginia (Biddle) Thode of Tuscola.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL with military rites accorded.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home on Saturday.

Al grew up with a love for racing cars and motorcycles. Working alongside his dad, the two of them souped up Al’s hot rod so he could drag race at local tracks. Those early years of racing became a special part of who Al was and remained a favorite memory throughout his life.

Al graduated from Tuscola High School in 1964 and served his country in the Army National Guard as a Military Policeman. Throughout his working years, he held many different jobs, including working for Kraft Foods and Trunkline Gas Company. Most of his life he was a union laborer with Local 573, where he worked until his retirement from the union. He then worked for the City of Tuscola Street Department for 11 years before retiring in 2002.

After retirement, Al moved to southern Illinois to pursue what had become one of the greatest passions of his life — bass fishing. Although he had fished as a child, it was after he bought his bass boat that fishing became more than a hobby; it became a way of life.

Over the years, many fish fries were enjoyed, but eventually Al decided he wanted to catch and release his fish. Whether the fish was big or small, before releasing it back into the water, Al would give it a kiss. Was it simply a habit or his own personal good-luck charm, no one will ever know. But anyone who knew Al knew that fishing was a true love of his.

His Champion bass boat was his pride and joy. He loved waxing it, taking care of it, and, most importantly, taking it fishing. He and Heather have fished many Bass tournaments over the years. If Al wasn't fishing, he was probably talking about fishing, thinking about fishing, or getting his boat ready to go.

But anyone who truly knew Al Thode knew that his greatest love was his daughter, Heather.

Heather was Al's sidekick from the very beginning. If you saw Al, you saw little Heather. They shared a bond that was special and remained strong throughout his entire life. After Al underwent triple heart bypass surgery in 2017, Heather offered him a place to live with her in Tolono. What ultimately sealed the deal was that Al would have his own garage for his beloved Champion boat. From there, their time together became filled with fishing trips, memories, laughter, and the everyday moments that meant so much.

As Al's health began to decline, Heather became his strongest advocate and remained by his side, caring for him and making sure he received the best care possible.

Al also received unconditional love from his beloved dogs, Bandit, Berkley, and his newest fur baby, Ella.

Al had a personality all his own. To some, he may have appeared like a grizzly bear, but underneath that tough exterior was truly a teddy bear. He loved deeply, protected fiercely, and had a way of leaving an impression on everyone he met. He was also considered a second dad to many of Heather's friends, welcoming them into his life and home and becoming someone they could count on.

Al was a colorful character and never afraid to pepper his words with a little “color.” He was uniquely Al, and those who knew him would agree — they truly broke the mold when Al Thode was born.

In his final days at Carle Hospital, Al told staff that he wanted to go out as the best dad he could be to Heather. That simple statement says so much about the man he was and how deeply he loved his daughter.

Although fishing was one of Al's greatest passions, his love for his daughter, his family, his dogs, and his friends was even greater. Al loved God and rededicated his life to Him.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Max R. Thode and Virginia (Biddle) Thode.

He is survived by his daughter, Heather Lynne Thode; his sisters, Cindy (Dave) Fricke of St. Charles, Missouri; Suzy (Greg) McDaniel of Mascoutah, Illinois; and Julie Edmonds of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends who considered Al family.

Al will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. His stories, his colorful personality, his love of racing, his dogs, his beloved boat, and especially his passion for bass fishing will live on in the memories of those who knew him best.

And if heaven is as colorful as they say, Al will fit in just fine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Douglas County Animal Shelter, PO Box 192, Tuscola, IL 61953