Anthony Theis

Tony was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 17, 1916, to Anna and Anthony Theis. He Graduated from Schurz High School in 1934 during the height of the Great Depression. He became a journeyman pipefitter and went to work for Carrier Corp. traveling around the U.S. installing commercial refrigeration in New Orleans, Louisiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan and Abilene, Texas. In 1941 he was back in Chicago where, just prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he asked the love of his life, Helen Richter, to marry him. Helen and Tony met in the fall of 1930 and were married on December 27, 1941. Tony joined the US Army Air Corps in March 1942 and after flight training at Altus, Oklahoma, flew B-17 "Flying Fortress" bombers in the European theater. He was stationed in Bassingborn, England, with the 91st Bomb Group (H) where he completed 35 bomber missions in the skies over Germany, to include multiple raids on Berlin. Upon his return to Chicago from the war, Tony went into business with his father engineering and installing commercial refrigeration. During this time he also furthered his passion for flying by providing private instruction to students as well as recreational flying in his Luscombe or, later, Mooney. As owner of Theis Refrigeration, Tony brought reliable cooling to well known companies such as Kraft and Oscar Mayer. Tony and Helen enjoyed sail boating on Lake Michigan in the summer, dancing, and ice skating in the winter. They eventually retired to Florida where they spent the bulk of their time boating and playing golf. They moved to Idaho in early 2011 to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. Tony was a great man whose wit, humor, and enthusiasm for life shone well into his 90's. Tony was a great man and a great aviator, who influenced many lives, and will be greatly missed. He is survived and remembered by his wife Helen, son Larry and daughter Linda (Robert Caliva), and his grandchildren Tony and Dan Caliva as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2012 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church 270 N. Placer in Idaho Falls, with Reverend Susan Speir officiating. Online condolences can be left at www.buckmillerhann.com. This old Ragged Irregular War Bird of the 323rd has folded his wings.IDAHO FALLS - Anthony W. Theis, 96, of Idaho Falls passed peacefully in his sleep while in the company of his grandson, Tony Caliva, on Sunday May 13, 2012, at Bonaventure Senior Living Center.

Service Details.

Service

When: Friday, May 18th, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address: