Dimple Thomas

MILLER CITY, Ill. -- Dorothy Dimple Thomas, 95, of Miller City entered eternal life March 24, 2016, at Rosewood Care Center in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Cremation rites were accorded by Herbert A. Kassly Funeral Home of Collinsville, Illinois.

Born on Jan. 30, 1921, to Germer and Mary Etta Brown Stuart, Dimple lived 90 of her 95 years in Alexander County, Illinois. On Dec. 17, 1936, she married Orville Thomas on the steps of the Mound City, Illinois, courthouse, and they renewed their vows on their 60th anniversary at the same place.

Their union of 67 years produced four children: Keith Thomas of Lake Zurich, Illinois, Sheila (Kenneth) Adams of Maryville, Illinois, Joyce Montgomery of Cape Girardeau and Stephen Thomas of Olive Branch, Illinois.

Loving survivors include six grandchildren, Kevin Thomas (Pat, Olivia) of Palatine, Illinois, Mark Thomas (Alexis, Charlie and Spencer) of Wauconda, Illinois, Brian Huffman (Margie, Meredith and Alyssa) of Maryville, Dr. Brent Huffman (Dr. Amy, Tristan, Sophia and Sawyer) of Avon, Indiana, Craig Thomas of Columbus, Ohio, and Angela Thomas of Paducah, Kentucky.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Helen Baker of Manteno, Illinois; a brother, Pat Stuart of Chicago; a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Thomas; and a son-in-law, Ward Montgomery.

A true believer in eternal life, she lived her religion in actions and song by singing to anyone who would listen. She was the last surviving member of the Miller City Quartet and often showed her pride by referring to the quartet's participation in raising money to build the Cross of Peace on Bald Knob at Alto Pass, Illinois.

She was a longtime member of the Miller City Community Chapel, Olive Branch Methodist Church and the Troy United Methodist Church at the time of her passing. An avid reader, always with a book nearby, she had the rare distinction of having read the Holy Bible in its entirety over 25 times.

All of the grandchildren and most of the great-grandchildren received a hand-quilted blanket upon their births. She continued to quilt until two years ago, when her fingers no longer would perform the delicate hand-stitching required. One of her donated quilts sold for $800 at a charity auction in St Louis, and she was known at the Cambridge House in Maryville as the lady who could patch, sew, hem or shorten most anything.

A memorial service will be Saturday, with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. at Olive Branch Methodist Church. The Rev. Dennis Price, assisted by the Rev. Brent Gordon, will officiate. Interment will be at Olive Branch Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Troy or Olive Branch church or the organization of your choice.