Harrison Thomas

Published in the Edwardsville Intelligencer from 2/16/2009 - 2/17/2009

Harrison Irwin Thomas, age 79, of Edwardsville, died at 9:50 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at his residence. He was born on Nov. 22, 1929, in Milan, Mo., the son of the late George E. and Mabel Harrison Thomas. He married Lena F. Willman on Sept. 9, 1953, in Madison. She survives. Along with his wife, he is survived by a daughter: Ramona, and husband Mark, Worley of Tallahassee, Fla., and sons: George, and Vicky Bacon, Thomas, of Pocahontas, and Bradley, and wife Brenda, Thomas of Wildwood, Mo.; grandchildren: Jason Worley, Amber Worley, Neil Worley, Christina Rooker and Chase Thomas; and a sister: Ruth Ann Ladd of Marine. Mr. Thomas was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. His memberships include the Masons, the Shriners, he played in the marching band, and the National Guard. He was a Minor League Cubs baseball pitcher and an avid fisherman. He taught at Wirth Jr. High School in the Cahokia District 187, for 28 years, retiring in 1985. Visitation will be at 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Saksa Mateer Funeral Home in Edwardsville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the funeral home, with Mark Worley officiating. Interment will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Glen Carbon. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice. Saksa Mateer Funeral Home in Edwardsville is in charge of arrangements.