Harry Thurm

WITTENBERG, Mo. -- Harry H. Thurm, 92, of Weybridge, Vt., died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury, Vt.

He was born Dec. 24, 1920, in Wittenberg, son of Herman and Paula Grebing Thurm.

Harry served in the Army during World War II.

After his discharge, he apprenticed as a diamond setter for several jewelers in St. Louis. There he later formed a partnership with two other jewelers and continued in his chosen field. He retired to Wappapello Lake and enjoyed the fishing until 1985 when he moved to Willsboro, N.Y., and continued fishing on Lake Champlain. It was there he learned new skills: snow plowing, gardening and chip carving. He enjoyed chip carving a great deal, spending many winter hours in a sunny room being creative.

In 2004 he moved to Weybridge to be closer to services as he continued to decline because of Alzheimer's disease.

Survivors include his companion of 27 years, Henrietta Petzoldt Connor; a brother, George Thurm; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Magdalene; two sisters, Edna Galnore and Sylva Miesner; and a brother, Harvey.

As per his wishes, his ashes will be buried in the family plot in Wittenberg.