Rick Thompson

Rick Thompson

Age 60 of Wilmington, passed away Friday, March 4, 2016 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Born May 29, 1955 in Gideon, Missouri, Rickey is a son of Lenna (nee Smith) Thompson of Braidwood and the late Ollie “Lavern” Thompson. He was raised and educated in Wilmington, and on November 1, 1975, Rick married Sue Habing in St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington. He was a member of the IAM Local #851, and retired from Caterpillar’s Joliet facility in 2009. Following retirement, Rick returned to Caterpillar, where he was continuing to subcontract with JR Coating. An avid sports fan, especially of The Chicago White Sox and Notre Dame, Rick coached Bobcat football, and youth baseball, where he also served on the board. He was proud to be on the Wildcat Football Chain Gang for 18 years and took great pleasure in being at anything that his grandkids participated in. Rick enjoyed the outdoors and will be remembered for his love of hunting, fishing, boating and camping.

Survivors include his mother Lenna Thompson of Braidwood; wife Sue and four children: Jeff (Brandy) Thompson, Stephanie Thompson, Carrie (Brent) Van Duyne and Chris Thompson (Katie Bowman), all of Wilmington; ten grandchildren: Cole, Kile, Zachary, Aiden, Korbin and Tucker Thompson, Mikey and Hunter Catlin and Zander and Chance Van Duyne; two great grandsons: Eoghan and Declan Thompson; brothers and sisters: Vickey (Jeff) Palmer of Wilton Center, Timmy (Julie) Thompson and Tommy (Donna) Thompson, both of Braidwood, Tracey “Gert” Thompson of Wilmington and Rhonda (Kevin) Murphy of Braidwood; two aunts: Maude Bittle of Higden, Arkansas and Lethie (Chester) Barger of Heber Springs, Arkansas; his father and mother-in-law: Ron and Vera Habing; sister-in-law Sandy (Bob) Adams and brother-in-law Jim (Tina) Habing, all of Wilmington; numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends, including his Chain Gang buddies: Tom Burnes, Gary Geiss and John Siebert.

Rick was preceded in death by his father Lavern; sister-in-law Sheila Soltysik and two nephews: Ronnie and Ryan Soltysik.

Cremation rites are being accorded and the family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Christian Faith Center, 1800 South Water Street in Wilmington on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until time of Memorial Service 5:30 p.m. Pastor Jeff Urban will officiate.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Rick’s memory to the WHS Athletic Boosters, 209 Wildcat Court, Wilmington, IL 60481

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photos or share Rick’s memorial page by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)