Donald L. Thompson, of Red Bud

DONALD L. THOMPSON, 67, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away at 1:55 p.m., 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 returned 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 more than 33 years; V.F.W. Post No. 6632 – where he served two years as treasurer and Red Bud Chamber of Commerce, where he served as president.

For the past year four 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 Rogers 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 five years.

After 10 years with Coca-Cola, Don drove a truck for Gregson Trucking and later for FedEx 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 include wife (Carol Thompson, Red Bud), mother (Doris Thompson, Red Bud); two children (Rick Thompson, Red Bud, and Pam (Mike) Junge, New Athens); three grandchildren (Caitlyn Thompson, Megan Thompson and Taylor Junge); 1 brother (David Thompson, Arlington, Virg.); one sister-in-law (Audrey (Raymond) Wiegard, Evansville, Ill.); two nieces and one nephew Sarah (Alex) Trujillo, Tim (Amy) Wiegard and Lisa (Patrick) Mueller.

Many great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceded in death by father, one sister – Linda Roscow and in-laws – Robert and Hulda Schmitz.

Memorial mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Red Bud, Illinois with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating.

Visitation will be held Friday from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud, Illinois.

Memorials can be made to Red Bud Fire Department and Red Bud Library.

To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit www.wpfh.net