Joan Lois Thompson, 76, of Vernon, passed away on June 4, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. She was born the daughter of Heskil and Alma (Cawry) Whitaker on July 7, 1939 in East St. Louis, Illinois. She married John Henry Thompson, Sr. and he preceded her in death in 1995.
Survivors include: children, James Thompson and special friend Silvia, LeRoy Thompson and wife Eileen, Kathy Richeson and husband Brad, Kelly McKinney, Brian Thompson and wife Heidi; sixteen grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren ; one great great grandchild; brothers, Ray Whitaker, Heskil Whitaker; sisters, Norma Bendekovits and husband Joseph, Jane Goodwin and husband Bill, Tina Brewer and husband Rick; many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by: her parents Heskil and Alma Whitaker; husband John Thompson Sr.; sisters Gladys Tweedy and Jerry Freeman; and children David Thompson and John Thompson, Jr.
Mrs. Thompson served in the United States Navy from 1961-1962. She enjoyed gardening and watching Judge Judy.
Services will be held on Wednesday, June 8 at 12:00 p.m. at Day Macz Funeral Home in Patoka with Pastor David Rogers officiating. Visitation will be held the morning of services from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Hatch Cemetery in Vernon with military rites performed by the Patoka American Legion Post #543. Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Joan Thompson. Condolences or memories of Joan may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.