Ex-Bloomingdale resident killed in accident a man of faith, humor

Family and friends of Dustin E. Thomas say his faith always guided his life.

And he would want that faith to now comfort the family and friends who are grieving his loss, his wife Shanna said.

"First and foremost, he would want everyone to know that he is home and singing praises to his father in heaven face to face," Shanna Thomas said. "His hope and prayer would always be that everyone could be with him someday."

Thomas, 26, who grew up in Villa Park and recently lived in Bloomingdale, was killed in a snowmobiling accident Friday in Wisconsin. Police said Thomas died after the snowmobile he was driving crashed into a tree at about 1:45 p.m. in Boulder Junction.

Thomas was on a two-day trip with in-laws, taking advantage of extra days off from his job as a Home Depot manager, Shanna said. The couple just moved to Ontario, Wis., last month in hopes of buying their first home.

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said Thomas was driving his snowmobile on a wooded trail, which curved to the right, and he failed to negotiate the turn and crashed into a tree. He was wearing a helmet, they said.

Shanna Thomas added that Dustin was traveling only about 25 mph and was with two in-laws who were paramedics, but their efforts couldn't save him.

"It was instant, there was nothing they could do," she said. "The autopsy confirmed internal bleeding."

Vilas County Coroner Paul Tirpe confirmed Thomas died of injuries sustained in the crash.

This is first snowmobile fatality this season in Vilas County, but a sheriff's department official said crashes, injuries and deaths are not an uncommon in the Eagle River area. The town is about four hours north of Chicago.

Before moving to Wisconsin, Thomas had served as worship leader for New Hope Community Church in Villa Park. He was a member of the church since childhood, where he participated in its high school youth group and played in a band called Secondhand Bicycle.

"They were really bad, but they had fun," said his wife, laughing.

When not in church, Thomas was known for his talents with building and repairing practically anything. He had recently built an elaborate basement fireplace for his mother, Jamie, who still lives in Villa Park.

"He was so skilled and creative," Shanna said. "He was always helping a friend who needed electrical work or fixing a computer. He would do anything for you."

Thomas also was loved for his sense of humor, which shows in goofy faces he makes in photos that friends and family posted on a Facebook tribute page created this week.

While a visitation was held Sunday night in Wisconsin, a funeral service will be this Saturday, Feb. 13, in Villa Park. The specific location is pending, because the Thomas family is unsure if New Hope Community Church can hold the 300 to 400 mourners expected. When details are finalized, the family will publish them in an obituary, Shanna Thomas said.