Elsie Thomas

Elsie Eleanor Thomas (nee Worland)

Age 82 and beloved wife of John Dewey Thomas, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Elsie was born in Mattoon on June 8, 1926 to Tilson and Cora Worland. Elsie attended Mattoon High School and graduated in 1943. On October 23, 1946 she married John Dewey Thomas, and has since been married 62 years. Elsie was loving and kind, and touched the hearts of all the people in her life. She will be cherished and remembered as a very caring woman, who was always there to help when you needed her. She loved keeping in touch with family and friends, and the updates going on in their lives. Elsie and Dewey took yearly trips to the Ship Reunion for 50 years after Dewey was in the US Navy. Elsie enjoyed garage sales, reading, taking pictures and crocheting blankets for her family and friends. She was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City and most recently St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, and well as the Wilmington VFW Post 5422.

Elsie will be very much missed and loved, but she will live on in our hearts forever.

Survivors include her beloved husband John Dewey Thomas; her wonderful children: Steve (Donna) Thomas of Belvidere, Dave (Janet) Thomas of Wilmington, Mary (Fred) Gaddis of Coal City, Mike (Denise) Thomas of Myrtle Beach, SC, Susan (Don) Parrish of Wilmington, Terry (Gina) Thomas of Custer Park, Jane (James) Balentine of Florence, AL and Robert Thomas of Wilmington; three sisters-in-law: Virginia Worland of Columbus, IN, Pauline Daniell of Wilmington and Ruth Thomas of Mattoon; (16) Grandchildren; (14) Great Grandchildren and four Great-Great Grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents: Tilson and Cora Worland of Mattoon, one son Patrick Thomas and one granddaughter Megan of CA; four brothers and two sisters: Carl Worland, Julius Worland, Horace Worland, Sr. Mary Pius Worland, Fr. T. Vincent Worland and Gertie Randolph.

A special thanks to Provena St. Joseph Nursing Home, Joliet Area Community Hospice, Deacon Don Dyer, and all who have helped us during this difficult time.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Sunday March 8, 2009 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet Street (two blocks North of Illinois Route 53 / Baltimore Street) in Wilmington.

Funeral services will follow on Monday March 9th at 10:00AM in St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Rev. Steve Bondi and Deacon Don Dyer officiating.

Interment will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood and pallbearers will be: Steve Thomas, Dave Thomas, Mike Thomas, Terry Thomas, Bobby Thomas and Jason Gaddis.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Elsie's memory to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431, Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 S. Main St., Wilmington, IL 60481 or St. Rose Catholic School, 626 S. Kankakee St., Wilmington, IL 60481.

Friends may sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-7621)