Donald Thompson

Donald Thompson, age 96, of Savanna, Illinois passed away Friday, September 23, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center, Clinton Iowa. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the Community United Church of Christ, Savanna. Burial will be in the Savanna Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., prior to the service Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the Church. Memorials may be given in Donald’s honor for Relay for Life Cancer Fund.
Donald was born October 7, 1919 in Savanna, the son of Neils and Florence (Embick) Thompson. He is a 1937 Savanna High School graduate. On January 1, 1942, Donald married Lucille Switzer in Savanna at the Community United Church of Christ. Donald then served in the United States Navy during WWII in the Phillipines. Donald and Lucille celebrated seventy-four years of marriage.
Donald worked as a machinist on the Milwaukee Railroad for forty years, retiring in 1982. He was an avid Cubs fan, loved listening to the radio, and playing cards with Lucille and the grandkids. Donald was a member of the Community United Church of Christ in Savanna, where years ago he took on the project of sanding and finishing all the pews.
Donald will be dearly missed by his wife, Lucille of Savanna; a son-in-law, Ron (Sue) Johnston of Savanna; two grandchildren, Rick (Janice) Johnston of Greenfield, Indiana and Randy (Charlotte) Johnston of Savanna; four great-grandchildren, David, Jennifer, Matthew and Corey; and a sister, Jean (Frederick) Bess of Savanna. Donald is preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl Johnston; and a brother, Charles Thompson; and both parents.