Donald Thurman

Donald Eugene Thurman, Sr., 85 of Peotone died Saturday (November 1, 2014) at home. Cremation rites have been accorded.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home, Peotone, on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. Inurnment and military honors will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.

Born April 17th, 1929, son of Ethel Harriette Cash Thurman and Jay Leone Thurman. He was in the Army, 101st Airborne. He worked as an Auto Mechanic, then in Parts, Jack Brown Buick, Roy Lang, and Dralle Chevrolet. He loved working in the yard, and building different things. He loved going to the River, aka The River Rats, and building the biggest campfires. He loved to travel to different places and never liked taking the same way twice. He was still friends with his high school buddies “The Old Gang” from West Pullman.

Survived by his wife, Juanita (Engle) Thurman. One brother, James (Virginia) Thurman (Rhode Island), Three children, Harriet Thurman, Donald (Traci) Thurman and Connie (Harry) Timmer, Judy Schroth. Seven Grandchildren, Michael Thurman-Munger, Nichole Thurman-Smith, Leslie (Devon) Seemann, Melinda (Rickey) Vandine, Jay Thurman, Robert Barnett and Carrie Timmer. Three Great-Grandchildren, Chloe Forgett, Jasmine Seemayer, Decon Forgett. Special Grandkids: Kelly (Evan) Graves, Matt Schroth (Cortland Tuttle), Derek (Tasia) Munger. Special Great-Grandchildren: Jon Schroth, Adrianna Dietz and Max Munger. Sister-in-laws: Helen Phelps, Earlene Crouse, Bonnie Parkins, Linda Presley, Billie Engle, and Patricia Engle. One Brother-in-law, Harold Myler. Also several nieces and nephews.

His extended Family includes: Dearest Friend Waldo Pool, (Sister) Claudene Good, and their children. Kathleen & John, CJ and Evan Sandman, Linda & Ken Emery, Roger Barnett, Joey & LeAnn Soltys, Chuck & Trisha Soltys, Margie & Rick Stark and their children.

Waiting for him in Heaven are his Parents, In-laws (Carrie & Earl Engle), Larry Crouse, Dale Parkins, Michelle Parkins, Robert Engle, Agnes Myler and Junior Engle, John Presley. Granddaughter Sarah Munger, Dear friends, Joyce Pool, Chester & Peggy Soltys, Gordon & Jackie Hulvey, and Bea & Earl Pintler.