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Submitted: 3/11/16 • Approved: 3/12/16 • Last Updated: 3/29/18 • R788842-G0-S3
TECHNICAL SERGEANT US Air Force
November 11, 1933 - June 17, 1997
John Eugene Thomas, 63 of Machesney Park, Illinois died Tuesday (June 17, 1997) at the Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford, Illinois.
The son of Henry and Beatrice (Burgraff) Thomas, he was born November 11, 1933 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. On May 24, 1953 in Kirksville, Missouri he married Inez Beall who survives.
Also surviving are one son, Aaron Eugene Thomas and wife Mimi of Rockford, Illinois; one daughter, Debbie Thomas of Edgerton, Wisconsin; three brothers, Frank Thomas of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Glen Thomas of the state of West Virginia and David Thomas of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; two sisters, Betty Kakula of Johnstown, Pennsylvania and Edith Lechak of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Nalynn, Nieda, Melody, Miranda and Matt and three sisters-in-law, Jenny Stewart, Jean Stewart and Libbie Christy all of Kirksville, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son in infancy, John Jr., one brother, Don Thomas and one sister, Geraldine Thomas.
John received his education in the Cambridge City, Pennsylvania public schools. He worked for the Bethlehem Steel Company in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. On July 1, 1952 he entered the United States Air Force and retired in 1972 after twenty years of service. He moved to Kirksville and worked for the Florshiem Shoe Company. In 1979 he moved to Rockford, Illinois and work for Machesney Park Mall as chief of security. At the time of his death he and his wife were doing custom cleaning.
He loved to fish and was a "jack of all trades".
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (June 21, 1997) at the Fohn Funeral Home with Robert Mills officiating. Music will be provided by Harvey Stewart and Barbara Clifton, organist. Selections will be "Why Me Lord" and "The Old Rugged Cross". Burial will be in the Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville, Missouri with military service conducted by the D.A.V. Post #48, V.F.W. Post #2508 and MacDougall-Lowe Post #20, American Legion.
Pallbearers will be Jim Stewart, Virgil Stewart, Randy Stewart, Ronnie Stewart, Jack Maize and Jessie Maize, Jr.
Visitation is in progress and the family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 Friday evening in the Chapel of Fohn Funeral Home.
Kirksville Daily Express
Kirksville, Missouri
June 20, 1997
Spouse:
Inez Agnes Beall Thomas (1936 - 2005)
Photo contributed by Larry and Susan Olson lolson60@cableone.net
Contributed on 3/11/16 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 788842