Richard Lee Thurston

RICHARD “DICK” THURSTON

JERSEYVILLE – Richard Lee “Dick” Thurston, 97, passed away peacefully at 2:31 p.m., Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Jerseyville Manor.

Born on March 24, 1927, at the family home in Jerseyville, Dick was the son of the late William Henry and Thelma Faye (Brown) Thurston. He grew up embracing the values of hard work and responsibility, values that he carried throughout his life.

As a young man, he began working for Jimmy Walsh’s grocery store, delivering groceries both before and after school. Soon after graduating from Jersey Township High School with the Class of 1945, Dick was called to serve his country. He proudly enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and was stationed in Guam.

Following his honorable discharge, Dick returned to Jerseyville, where he began a long and varied career. He worked for Medford Oil Company and the former A&P Grocery Store, and later spent 25 years as a skilled meat cutter at Sinclair Foods, retiring after a lifetime of dedication to his craft.

In addition to his work, Dick held a deep faith, and was a longtime and faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville. He served a lay pastor for 15 years at the Kampsville Presbyterian Church, a role he continued well into his 90s.

His commitment to his community extended beyond his pastoral work. Dick and his beloved wife, Betty Marie (Cope) Thurston, whom he married on April 25, 1948, at the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville, were active members in the church and community throughout their lives.

Together, Dick and Betty were blessed with four children, who, along with their 10 grandchildren and now 17 great grandchildren (with 2 more on the way), were a constant source of pride and joy. Their home was filled love, laughter, and the values they held dear, and Dick treasured every moment spent attending family gatherings and cheering on his grandchildren at sporting events. His garden and yard were a labor of love, where he found solace and satisfaction in tending to the land. Dick and Betty also shared many memorable adventures, traveling widely and making cherished memories on their trips to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and outings with friends and time spent golfing and socializing at Westlake Country Club in Jerseyville.

Dick’s life was marked by a deep commitment to service and camaraderie. He was a longtime member of the Jerseyville American Legion Post #492, and 62-year member of the Jerseyville Masonic Lodge #394, and proudly earned the rank of Master Mason in 2012. Dick was also honored in 1969 as JCHS Homecoming Spirit and, at the time of his passing, held the distinction of being the oldest living former spirit.

Dick is survived by two sons and daughters in-law, Eric and Terry Thurston of Godfrey and Craig and Lori Thurston of Jerseyville; two daughters and sons in-law, Bev and Marty Reynolds of Roxana and Rhonda and Denny Bechtold of Jerseyville; ten grandchildren, Erica and Brian McDermott of Columbia, Illinois, Jarrod and Rachel Reynolds of Edwardsville, Jason and Sabrina Bechtold currently stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, Carley and Josh Arnsman of Fowler, Tarah and Bradley Davis of Dow, Breanna and Patrick Minogue of Edwardsville, Jenna and Kyle Jackson of Carlyle, Maria and Austin Probst of Edwardsville, Macy Thurston of Saint Louis, Missouri and  Mackenzie Thurston and her fiancé, Breden Bean, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; seventeen great grandchildren, Riley, Janie and Wyatt McDermott, Eleanor, Allison and Benjamin Reynolds, Harper and Hudson Bechtold, Deacon, Brinley and Maverick Arnsman, Margaret and Rory Davis, Mia Minogue, Sellers and Hayes Jackson and August Probst; along with 2 additional great grandchildren on the way.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Betty, who preceded him in death on May 12, 2017; a grandson, Ian Reynolds; a sister and brother in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” and Louis Crotchett; as well as three brothers and their spouses, James “Jimmy” Thurston, William and Clessie Thurston and John and Mary Thurston.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, November 11, 2024 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville.

Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, with the Jerseyville American Legion Post #492 conducting military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville.

Dick’s legacy of love, dedication, and faith will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com 

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