Rev. Thomas Corley

Reverend Thomas Francis Corley

Age 87 of Joliet, and former Parochial Vicar at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City, entered into eternal life on Saturday February 20, 2010 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home in Joliet.

Born March 04, 1922 in Chicago, Thomas was a son of the late Thomas F. Corley, Sr. and Marie Magdelene Travelena-Corley. On April 16, 1922 he was baptized at St. Ita Parish in Chicago and received his elementary education at Pierce School in Chicago, Blessed Sacrament School in New York, and St. Ita School in Chicago. Thomas was a graduate of Senn High School in Chicago and earned a B.A. from DePaul University. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and inducted into service at Pilgrim Court in Chicago in 1942. During his service to the Country, Thomas earned the rank of 3rd Class Radioman prior to his honorable discharge at Boston, Massachusetts in 1944. After the service, Thomas traveled the country singing in opera's, and was most known for being cast as the lead role in the operetta "The Student Prince". He also worked as a real estate agent. It was later in life that Thomas earned his Master's degree in Divinity at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales, Wisconsin, and Father Thomas Corley was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1985 at the Cathedral of Saint Raymond by Bishop Joseph Imesch. He ministered at St. James Parish in Glen Ellyn from 1985 to 1987 and at Assumption Parish in Coal City from 1987 until his retirement in 1997 to St. John Vianney Villa in Naperville. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he delighted in serving as Spiritual Director for the Legion of Mary.

Fr. Tom is survived by his brother Eugene R. Corley of Lincolnshire and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Audrey (Richard) McClure and one brother Emmett B. Corley.

Fr. Thomas F. Corley will lie in state at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 245 South Kankakee Street in Coal City on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 from 2:00PM until 8:00PM and Thursday February 25th from 9:00AM until Mass of Christian Burial 11:00AM.

A funeral luncheon in the Berst Hall will be held at the conclusion of the funeral Mass, and burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.

Online Guest Book is available by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815/634-2125)