OBITUARY - Loyd Martin Thomas, 78, of Beardstown, died Sunday, April 10, 2005, at Heritage Manor East in Beardstown. He was born May 30, 1926, in Beardstown, the son of Ernest E. and Jennie Garver Thomas. He married Barbara `Bobbie` Mueller Loyd on Aug. 6, 1950, in Beardstown, and she survives. Also surviving are his five children: Sandi Spurbeck of Edwardsville, Marty Thomas (wife, Teresa) of Amarillo, Texas, Jennie Prather (husband, Allan) of Rushville, LTC Brett Thomas (wife, Eve) of Staunton, Va., and Barb Merriman (husband, Gary) of Beardstown; one stepson, Dr. R. Thomas Loyd (wife, Lindsay) of Arlington, Va.; five grandsons, three granddaughters, and four great-grandsons; two sisters, Luthera Skiles of Mesa, Ariz., and Mary LaMaster of Beardstown; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one stepdaughter, Carol Ann Loyd; and two brothers, Arthur Thomas in infancy and Ogle Thomas. He graduated from Beardstown High School in 1945 and he attended Western Illinois University following his return from serving with the Marines in the South Pacific during World War II. He retired from the United States Army Reserves in Springfield as a master sergeant in 1985. He was employed by Central Illinois Public Service at the Meredosia power plant and retired after 39 years of service in 1988. He served as the Civil Defense Director for Cass County for many years. He and his wife also owned and operated Thomas MFA Insurance Agency in Beardstown from 1967 until 1976. Mr. Thomas was a member of the Elks Club 1007, VFW Post 1239, and American Legion Post 605, all in Beardstown, and he was a founding member of the Beardstown Lions Club. He coached Little League teams for many years. As part of his community service, he was instrumental in organizing an auxiliary police unit in the late 1960s. For several years he taught Rules of the Road classes for senior citizens. He was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beardstown.