George Albert Noah Thompson, 87, of Harristown departed this life at 1:45 AM on Tuesday May 4, 2010 at Decatur Memorial Hospital. His wife Betty Ann Kauerauf preceded him in death on June 11, 1985. They were married on March 3, 1946 and were proud to have a large family.
He is survived by his children; one son Paul David Thompson (Pamela) of Hammond, IL. and six daughters: Judith Ann Walsch (Calvin) of Decatur, Nancy Lee Chamberlain (Tom) of Lehigh Acres, FL., Linda Sue Hopkins (Gene) of Decatur, Cinda Lou Rosetto (Rick) of Chillicothe, IL., Mary Beth Ernst (Rick Hauck) of Decatur and Cheri Kay Cribbet (Larry) of Crystal Lake, IL. He has 22 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
George was born on March 21, 1923 in Sesser, IL. to Albert and Elmina (Isom) Thompson. One infant sister preceded him in death. He served in the army during WWII in England and France. George worked for Borg Warner/Marvel Schebler in Decatur for 27 years.
Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Saturday May 8, 2010 at Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home with Pastor Dennis Blankenship officiating. Visitation will be Friday May 7, 2010 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Harristown Cemetery in Harristown with Military Rites. Condolences may be sent to the family via email at www.dawson-wikoff.com
Family suggest memorials to the American Heart Association
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Renee and Rebecca and all the staff on 4th floor at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
My siblings and I put together a few memories and thoughts of our Dad and would like to share them with you.
Dad was an only child having had a sister die as an infant. He fought in WWII having earned two bronze stars in campaigns in northern France and Germany. By profession he was a tool and gauge maker. He was very creative and if he didn’t have a tool to do the job, he could create one that would do the trick. He worked diligently to provide for his family, sometimes three jobs at a time. He taught us the value of hard work and wanted us to do the best at whatever job we were doing. He was a man with a sense of humor, a twinkle in his eye and always a witty word.
Dad was very logical and organized and liked everything in order. and was always very clear with all of us on right and wrong using the Bible as the basis for his direction. He encouraged all of his children to follow Jesus.
Dad loved our Mother, his wife for 39 years. During Mom’s last year of life battling cancer Dad took early retirement to be by her side all the way, to care for her, to fix her food, he went with her to church and he worked hard to make up for mistakes he might have made in the other 38 years. When she passed, he missed her terribly and grieved over her loss until he passed from this life.
Dad’s mind was clear and alert up to his last days. He cared about each and everyone of his kids and if he hadn’t heard from someone he would constantly ask others if they had heard anything. When we had difficulties in life, Dad did what he could to help us.
Dad loved flowers and the smell of honeysuckle and lilac. He was a die hard Cardinal fan and loved Nascar. Regardless of the weather he always wore his Cardinal jacket and hat and had on this Rusty Wallace belt buckle. He enjoyed science and when you went to his house, you could expect to find the TV on the NASA channel.
Dad softened a lot in his later years, he loved to sit outside in his swing and watch kittens romp and worried about his little cat Brownie. Even in the winter he would ask if maybe the day was warm enough to put the swing back out.
Dad, we love you; we will all miss you. Thank you for instilling Christian principles in our lives so that although we grieve we are not without hope.
