| JOHN L. THOMAS |
| Mr. John L. Thomas, 83, of 2112 Hampshire, died at 11:53 p.m. Thursday (June 20, 2002) in Blessing Hospital. Born September 16, 1918 in Quincy, John was the son of David R. and Carrie B. Thayer Thomas. He married Marion Turner on May 18, 1940 in Ewing, MO. She survives. Mr. Thomas was a member of Quincy Lodge #296 and served as past Master in 1967. He was a member of the Valley of Quincy Scottish Rite and received the Meritorious Service Award in 1980 and was District Deputy Grand Master of the 12th Western District of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. He was also a member of Quincy Chapter Royal Arch Masons; Quincy Council Royal and Select Masters; Quincy Comandery, Illinois Priory # 11 Knight York Cross of Honor, Knights Templar, Ghazzeh Grotto, and Alpha Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. He was a director and secretary of the Quincy Masonic Temple Association. He received his 33rd degree, the highest honor of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry, in September of 1988 in Grand Rapids, MI. John served in the armed forces during WWII in the European Theater of Operations where he received two bronze stars. He was a member of Central Baptist Church and served as Deacon and ushered for many years. He was at one time, President of Loyal Workers Sunday School Class. He served as Scoutmaster for Troop 3 and was a committee chairman and received the Scouters Key Award. He later helped form a cub pack for handicapped boys. He was also a member of United Commercial Travelers, a member of Uncle Sams Club of Good Samaritan Home, and a volunteer support group of which he served as vice president. Mr. Thomas taught auto mechanics in the Quincy School System and then was employed at Harris Corporation for many years until his retirement. Also surviving are three daughters, Mary L. Ulrich and her husband Craig, and Joyce Kelle and her husband Paul, both of Quincy, and Ruth Bottrell and her husband Robert of Springfield, IL.; one son, John L. Thomas Jr. and his wife Charlcie of Cary, N.C.; fourteen grandchildren, Mark A. Thomas and his wife Daria of Madison WI., Matthew P. Thomas and his wife Catherine of White Fish Bay, WI., Laura J. Thomas and Sarah L. Thomas, both of West Lafayette, IN., Carrie Jo Kelle, and Kathy E. Kerkhoff and her husband George, both of Quincy, and Christopher P. Kelle of Quincy, and his fiancee' Sharon Morrow of Macomb, IL, Paula Otte and her husband Keith John M. Kelle, and D. Scott Kelle and his wife Susan, all of Quincy, Brian J. Ulrich of Madison, WI., Jason D. Ulrich of Quincy, Jennifer and Amber Bottrell of Springfield, IL.; two great grandchildren, Kohl Kerkhoff of Quincy, and Elizabeth Thomas of White Fish Bay, WI.; two sisters, Mary E. Steckler of Quincy, and Florence Snider of Yuma, AZ.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Richard Thomas. Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 in Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home by the Rev. Charles Baker. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and Monday morning until the time of services at the funeral home. Quincy Masonic Lodge #296 will conduct Masonic services Sunday evening at 7:00 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children, or to Central Baptist Church. |