Mr. Thomas worked as a coal miner before his retirement. He was a member of the Freeburg Masonic Lodge #418. Frank was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, and a member of the Locklar-Smith American Legion Post #550 and the Freeburg VFW Post 7074.
Gramps was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed bird-watching. He loved spending time with his family and grandkids, and watching his St. Louis “Hockey Blues”!
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Vergene E., nee Odle, Thomas, whom he married on June 28, 1947, and who died on November 20, 2010; his parents, Frank L. and Viola, nee Hoerr, Thomas; and a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Rosie Thomas.
Surviving are four daughters, Donna (David) Dill of Sparta, IL,
Sandra (Stephen) Crain of Farmington, MO,
Vicki (Alan) Reece of Circle City, AZ,
and Peggy Goodwin (Mark Goeddel) of Smithton, IL;
11 grandchildren;
15 great-grandchildren;
two great-great-grandchildren;
one brother, David (Debbie) Thomas of Smithton, IL;
and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Freeburg, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Earl Crecelius officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.
Condolences Left For Frank Thomas
To a good step brother u will be missed sorry you didn’t get a chance to meet your step nieces
Charles Cassady, Coulterville, Illinois, 62237
Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your father, and grandfather. May good memories and loving thoughts make this easier for you.
Laura Kamper Gauch, Freeburg, lllinois, 62243
Uncle Frankie was the best. He will be missed. My heart goes out to his family.
Linda Odle, Newburgh, IN, 47630
Though I haven’t seen my second cousin since 2001, I have a few fond memories of “Mouse”. Our family always said Mouse was the toughest of them all because when he ran out of room on his stringer, he held the last fish in his teeth and posed for a picture of his catch that day. I can only surmise that he got his nickname because of the quiet and loving family man he was. I know he will be missed.
Janice K Simons (Thomas), Swansea, Il, 62226
Our sincere sympathy to Frankie’s sweet daughters and their families. He always seemed so happy and we suspect his loving wife and daughters were the reason.
Elizabeth & Richard Jung, Niceville, Florida, 32578
Sincere sympathy to the lovely family of Mr. Frank Thomas. Although I didn’t know Mr. Thomas very well, his daughters are a beautiful reflection of the wonderful man he must have been.
Charlene Fernandez Helfrich, Smithton, IL, 62285