Jack R. Thomas, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2015 with his loving family by his side.
He is a United States Army Veteran who proudly served in the Philippines during World War II.
Jack married the love of his life, Bette D. Muenzing on July 25, 1953 whom he met dancing at the Y.M.C.A. His love of country music had him playing his guitar and singing all over the Joliet area for the last 60 years, the last 40 years leading his band the Melody Drifters.
He was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 50 years, pack leader of the Cub Scouts, past member of the Joliet Mud Turtles and member of the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association. 'Poppie' was a special man who would take care of many children and treated them as his own; he had a heart of gold and will be sorely missed.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Bette Thomas; children, Randy (Nancy) Thomas, Robin Nelson, and Shawn Thomas; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Mason of Morris, Carolyn Willan of Indianapolis, Indiana, Marjorie Hyde, and Charlotte Smith of Terre Haute, Indiana; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Mabel Thomas; and one grandson, Jason Jack Thomas.
The family invites relatives and friends to gather at Trinity United Methodist Church, 301 Fairbanks Avenue, Joliet on Saturday, March 14, 2015 for a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m.
Inurnment will be held privately at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Arrangements by: Tezak's Funeral Home. There will be no funeral home visitation or services.
Published: The Herald News, Joliet, IL - March 3, 2015
He is a United States Army Veteran who proudly served in the Philippines during World War II.
Jack married the love of his life, Bette D. Muenzing on July 25, 1953 whom he met dancing at the Y.M.C.A. His love of country music had him playing his guitar and singing all over the Joliet area for the last 60 years, the last 40 years leading his band the Melody Drifters.
He was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 50 years, pack leader of the Cub Scouts, past member of the Joliet Mud Turtles and member of the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association. 'Poppie' was a special man who would take care of many children and treated them as his own; he had a heart of gold and will be sorely missed.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Bette Thomas; children, Randy (Nancy) Thomas, Robin Nelson, and Shawn Thomas; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Mason of Morris, Carolyn Willan of Indianapolis, Indiana, Marjorie Hyde, and Charlotte Smith of Terre Haute, Indiana; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Mabel Thomas; and one grandson, Jason Jack Thomas.
The family invites relatives and friends to gather at Trinity United Methodist Church, 301 Fairbanks Avenue, Joliet on Saturday, March 14, 2015 for a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m.
Inurnment will be held privately at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Arrangements by: Tezak's Funeral Home. There will be no funeral home visitation or services.
Published: The Herald News, Joliet, IL - March 3, 2015
Jack R. Thomas, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2015 with his loving family by his side.
He is a United States Army Veteran who proudly served in the Philippines during World War II.
Jack married the love of his life, Bette D. Muenzing on July 25, 1953 whom he met dancing at the Y.M.C.A. His love of country music had him playing his guitar and singing all over the Joliet area for the last 60 years, the last 40 years leading his band the Melody Drifters.
He was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 50 years, pack leader of the Cub Scouts, past member of the Joliet Mud Turtles and member of the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association. 'Poppie' was a special man who would take care of many children and treated them as his own; he had a heart of gold and will be sorely missed.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Bette Thomas; children, Randy (Nancy) Thomas, Robin Nelson, and Shawn Thomas; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Mason of Morris, Carolyn Willan of Indianapolis, Indiana, Marjorie Hyde, and Charlotte Smith of Terre Haute, Indiana; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Mabel Thomas; and one grandson, Jason Jack Thomas.
The family invites relatives and friends to gather at Trinity United Methodist Church, 301 Fairbanks Avenue, Joliet on Saturday, March 14, 2015 for a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m.
Inurnment will be held privately at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Arrangements by: Tezak's Funeral Home. There will be no funeral home visitation or services.
Published: The Herald News, Joliet, IL - March 3, 2015
He is a United States Army Veteran who proudly served in the Philippines during World War II.
Jack married the love of his life, Bette D. Muenzing on July 25, 1953 whom he met dancing at the Y.M.C.A. His love of country music had him playing his guitar and singing all over the Joliet area for the last 60 years, the last 40 years leading his band the Melody Drifters.
He was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 50 years, pack leader of the Cub Scouts, past member of the Joliet Mud Turtles and member of the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association. 'Poppie' was a special man who would take care of many children and treated them as his own; he had a heart of gold and will be sorely missed.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Bette Thomas; children, Randy (Nancy) Thomas, Robin Nelson, and Shawn Thomas; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Mason of Morris, Carolyn Willan of Indianapolis, Indiana, Marjorie Hyde, and Charlotte Smith of Terre Haute, Indiana; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Mabel Thomas; and one grandson, Jason Jack Thomas.
The family invites relatives and friends to gather at Trinity United Methodist Church, 301 Fairbanks Avenue, Joliet on Saturday, March 14, 2015 for a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m.
Inurnment will be held privately at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Arrangements by: Tezak's Funeral Home. There will be no funeral home visitation or services.
Published: The Herald News, Joliet, IL - March 3, 2015
Gravesite Details
Pfc US Army, World War II
