Reverend Monsignor Thomas E. Bales

Reverend Monsignor Thomas E. Bales, 72, died Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the home of his sister, where he resided. Monsignor was born on September 20, 1945 in Dixon, Illinois, to James E. and Elizabeth A. Moerschbaecher Bales.

Monsignor Bales attended St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa and Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois. He then attended St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was ordained to the priesthood June 1, 1974 by the Most Reverend Arthur J. O’Neill at St. Patrick Church, Dixon, Illinois. He was named Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II on June 14, 1998.

After ordination, his first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at Holy Angels Parish, Aurora, Illinois. His next assignments were Campus Minister, Aurora College; Chaplain, Rosary High School, Aurora; Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Parish, St. Charles; Associate Director of the Diocesan Family Life Office and then Director of that office; Priest Consultant for Family Life; Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Parish, Rockford. Monsignor was then appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Lena; Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Sterling; appointed Dean of the Sterling Deanery; Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Tampico; Pastor of Holy Family Parish, Rockford; Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Amboy; St. Flannen Parish, Harmon; St. Mary Parish, Walton; Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Maytown; Parochial Administrator of Holy Cross Parish, Batavia. He was a member of the Priests Health Committee and appointed a Diocesan Consultor and Parish Priest Consultor. Monsignor was a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. He retired from active ministry in June, 2015 but continued to assist at parishes in the Diocese.

Monsignor is predeceased by his parents and brother, James. He is survived by two brothers and two sisters, Patrick (Victoria) Bales of Hinsdale, Rebecca (Malcolm) Schmitt of Sterling, Michael (Karen) Bales of Grand Junction Colorado, and Lisa Bales of Dixon. Nieces and nephews, Elizabeth (Jeff) Mark of Fox Point Wisconsin, Katherine (Jarod) Brown of Monona Wisconsin, Kevin (Samantha) Schmitt of Dixon, Laura (Nathan) Wright of Oak Park, Andrews (Kathryn) Bales of Oak Park, Thomas Bales of Boston Massachusetts, and James Bales of Seattle Washington; and several great nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 11:00AM at Holy Family Church, Rockford, IL. Visitation will be from 2:00PM-7:30PM Wednesday, April 25 at the church with prayer service at 7:30PM and visitation Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 9:00AM-10:45AM at the church prior to the Mass. Private interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Dixon, Illinois at a later date. Arrangements are being made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, Illinois 61108. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established by the family.