Harry Christian Sloth

Harry Christian Sloth, age 99, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2023.

Harry was born on August 30, 1923, in Chicago, IL.

Harry served our country as a Marine in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.  Fighting in the bloodiest and most notorious battles of the war, including the Battles of Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima, Harry served and protected his fellow comrades as a medical corpsman. Voluntarily enlisting on his own at the age of nineteen, Harry had a sense of duty, responsibility, and patriotism at a very young age.

For his valiant and brave service, Harry was awarded many of the military’s highest honors, including the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars, the American Medal, the Victory Medal, and the distinguished Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, an award issued in the name of the President of the United States to units in the armed forces for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy.  To receive this rare honor, the unit must display gallantry and determination in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions, setting it apart from other units.

After his service in WWII, Harry attended Hamlin University in Minnesota, earning his bachelor’s in liberal arts degree. Harry then chose to further serve his country with a professional career in the United States Customs.  Starting as an import specialist with many successive managerial promotions, Harry’s career with US Customs spanned twenty years and was a labor of love, including a strong sense of duty and pride in being a part of the division.

Harry met his future bride, Shirley, at a dance in Chicago where after one dance together, Shirley told a friend that “Harry was the man she was going to marry.”  With sixty-two years of marriage, seven children, thirteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild as his legacy, Harry embodied family.  Indeed, Harry's eyes lit up when seeing any of his children or grandchildren.  The big family gatherings, where there was laughter, jokes, games, singing, and dancing, he especially enjoyed and was a big part and instigator of all of it. He has instilled in all his family a sense of fun, appreciation for being together and celebrating.

Harry is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Shirley Sloth (nee Maier); his loving children, Christian (Nancy) Sloth, Marilyn (Peter) Rowley, Sharon (Mark) Schindler, Eric (Julie) Sloth, Mary (Michael) Gasparac, John Sloth, Tim (Soula) Sloth; cherished grandchildren, Cara Sloth, Connor Sloth, Matthew Rowley, Hannah Sloth, Natalia Schindler, Trevor Sloth, Christian Rowley, Maria Schindler, Thomas Gasparac, James Rowley, Evan Gasparac, Joanna Sloth and Christiana Sloth; and great-grandchild, Sophia Gerosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Niels and Anna Katrina Sloth; his brothers, Eric Sloth, Arthur Sloth, Sven Sloth; and sister, Lillian Siegh.

A visitation for Harry will be held from 9:00 am until the time of mass at 11:00 am on Friday, August 4, 2023, at St. Anne Catholic Community, 120 Ela St., Barrington, IL. Burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington, IL.