WILLISVILLE – Allen "Allie" Thies, 74, of Willisville, passed away at home on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Allen was born in Murphysboro, IL, on April 3, 1951, the son of Melvin and Irene Hoops Thies. He married Carolyn Rice on October 20, 1973 in Willisville, Illinois. He was retired from Spartan Printing and Gilster Mary Lee. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Campbell Hill.

Allen Thies was a man of simple pleasures. Some of his favorite moments were spent walking the beach in search of seashells or fishing at Realfoot Lake with his friends, but his everyday joys centered around his wife, family, and friends.

Allie could often be found at home playing solitaire from his recliner, or rummy with his wife and family at the kitchen table, enjoying a Hallmark movie, or cheering on the Blues, Cardinals, or Christopher Bell—depending on the season.

Lovingly known as "Coach" to his sons, granddaughter, and a decade's worth of Trico Pioneer softball players, Allie popularized "Pennies from Heaven" as a reminder that good things can happen—and to celebrate them when they do.

Allen Thies was, and always will be, loved by many. Any room he walked into was instantly brighter simply because he was in it.

Allen is survived by his wife, Carolyn Thies of Willisville; children, Jennifer (Mike) Maciura of Willisville, Eric Thies (Ashlen Tegal) of Pinckneyville, IL, and Jono (Tara) Thies of Chester; grandchildren, Chloe (Jon Hyde), Braden, Ryker, Treal, Layla, Tymber, Elias, Lyndon, Ainslee, Daigen, Maddox, Kenley, Shelby and Dalton; sisters, Diann (Jerry) Moore of Willisville, Judy McFadden of Steeleville, Mary Ann (Rick) Bowerman of Campbell Hill and Connie (Bruce) Shockley of Lenzberg, IL; brothers, Terry Thies of Willisville and Melvin "Zeke" Thies of Willisville; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Thies of Percy; sisters-in-law, Debbie Winterberg and Barb Prange; brothers-in-law, Rick (Debbie) Rice and Jim Rice; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Allen was preceded in death by his Parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Richard and Joyce Rice (Ed Byram); brothers, Gerald, Kenny "Cornbread", Lonnie "Buck" and Randy "Nip" Thies; sister, Bonnie Faverty; brothers-in-law, Daniel Faverty and Royce McFadden; and niece, Carissa Boyd.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Willisville Parish Hall from 2 pm until 6 pm. Memorials may be given to a Love Fund for the Family and can be mailed to Wilson's Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Ava, Illinois 62907.