Donald L Thompson

DONALD L. THOMPSON, 67, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away at 1:55 pm, Saturday, March 25, 2017 at St. Anthony’s Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born to Floyd and Doris (nee Fournie) Thompson on April 8, 1949 in Red Bud, Illinois.

After graduation from Red Bud High School in 1967, Don married his high school sweetheart, Carol Schmitz, on July 26, 1968 in Gulfport, Mississippi.  Don served in the Navy Seabees and was deployed to Vietnam for two tours of duty.

After the war, he return to Red Bud and quickly became very active in the community.  He had been a member of Red Bud Jacycees, the Red Bud Fire Department for 33+ years where he served 2 years as Treasurer, V.F.W. Post # 6632, Red Bud Chamber of Commerce where he served as President.  For the past year 4 years, Don has served the City of Red Bud as Alderman for Ward 3 and was seeking a second term.  Don also had served on the City Planning Commission and helped started the beautification of downtown project.

Don drove a truck for Roger Redi Mix until he opened a 7up distributorship in Ruma, which he ran for 14 years. After being offered a position from Coca Cola, Don moved to management for 10 years serving as distribution manager for 5 years. After 10 years with Coca Cola, Don drove a truck for Gregson Trucking and later for Fed Ex until his retirement in December of 2012.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud, Illinois; where he was a part of the Church Choir and helped with the church picnic.

Survivors:

Wife:                           Carol Thompson                                 Red Bud, IL

Mother:                       Doris Thompson                                 Red Bud, IL

2 Children:                  Rick Thompson                                  Red Bud, IL

Pam (Mike) Junge                              New Athens, IL

3 Grandchildren:        Caitlyn Thompson, Megan Thompson & Taylor Junge

1 Brother:                   David Thompson                                Arlington, VA

1 Sister-in-law:           Audrey (Raymond) Wiegard              Evansville, IL

2 Nieces & 1 Nephew: Sarah (Alex) Trujillo, Tim (Amy) Wiegard and Lisa                                                          (Patrick) Mueller

Many Great Nieces, Great Nephews, Cousins and Friends

Preceded in death by             Father, 1 Sister – Linda Roscow and In-Laws – Robert & Hulda Schmitz

Memorial Mass:                  10:00 am, Saturday, April 1, 2017

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Red Bud, Illinois

Officiating:                          Msgr. Dennis Schaefer

Visitation:                           Friday – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud, Illinois

Memorials:                         Red Bud Fire Department

Red Bud Library