Virginia Thurston

PULASKI, Ill. -- Virginia Eileen Heilig Thurston, 94, of Pulaski passed away at 4:31 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Virginia was born April 29, 1921, at Pulaski, daughter of the late Warren William Heilig Sr. and Edna Earl Hennington Heilig.

She was a member of the Pulaski Christian Church, the Ladies Aid of the church, the Home Bureau Extension of Pulaski County, the Illinois Retired Teachers' Association, the Delta Gramma Sorority, a former Sunday School teacher, a deaconess of the church, a former 4-H leader and a dedicated volunteer of the Pulaski County Fair Association, serving as an exhibit hall superintendent for many years.

Virginia was a public grade-school teacher for over 30 years in Pulaski County.

Survivors include two daughters, Gloria E. Thurston and Beverly (Terry) Palmisano, both of Pulaski; a son, Robert E. "Bob" (Judy) Thurston of Pulaski; a sister, Sara Taake of Ullin, Illinois; six grandchildren, Todd, Ryan (Erika) and Adam (Nicki) Thurston, Anita Palmisano, Crystal (Howard) Dillard and Jake (Whitney) Palmisano; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Milo F. Thurston, on June 6, 1993; two brothers, Warren William "Bill" Heilig Jr. and Harold E. Heilig; and two infant siblings.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Pulaski Christian Church, with the Rev. Buddy Walls officiating.

Interment will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Pulaski.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Pulaski Christian Church and from 8 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to the Pulaski Christian Church or to the Rose Hill Cemetery Association in memory of Virginia Thurston.

To leave online condolences, please visit jones-funeral.com.

Jones Funeral Home Villa Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.