Donald K Thiry

Donald K Thiry, son of Marcel and Alice Fern (Maltas) Thiery, was born June 19, 1945, in Ottawa, Ill. He departed this life Thursday, February 28, 2008, in his home near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of sixty-two years, eight months and nine days. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Gladfelter Funeral Home with the Rev. Tim Underwood of Illinois Evangelical Free Church officiating. Burial will be in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. by the Occidental Lodge No. 40, AF & AM. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Charles Gadke, Francis and William Thiry; and four sisters, Jeanette Thiery, Clara Fischer, Rita Hart and Eugenia Moore. Donald is survived by two daughters, Donna McCoy of Oglesby, Ill. and Diana (John) Lee of Ottawa, Ill.; a step-son, Jonathan (Kristina) Kien of Ottawa, Ill.; three grandchildren, Rita Ann McCoy, A. J. Lee and Victoria Kien; a great-grandchild, Trenity; two brothers, Jimmy of Mesquite, Texas, Bob Thiry of Princeton, Ill.; three sisters, Betty (Marvin) Long of Mountain Home, Arkansas, Glennie (Denny) Anderson and Shirley Cullmann both of Ottawa; a number of nieces and nephews; a special friend, Willia "Tiny" Duncan of Plato, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was born and raised in Ottawa, Ill., until he was five years old and then moved with his siblings to Flanagan, Ill. After high school, he attended Illinois State University where he earned his bachelor degree. He served his country faithfully in the United States Marine Corps from June 26, 1963 until June 25, 1967, in combat during the Vietnam War. Once he received his honorable discharge from the Marines, he returned to Ottawa, Ill. where he worked for Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company for several years. In 1996, he moved to Lebanon, Missouri, and was a Certified General Appraiser and realtor. He owned and operated Diversified Appraisals in the Central Missouri area for a number of years. He was a member of the Occidental Masonic Lodge No. 40, AF & AM in Ottawa, Ill. and also the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2470 of Ottawa, Ill. He greatly enjoyed working in his wood shop and was a fan of Harley Davidson motorcycles. In his spare time he liked to read good books, especially about historical events. He also liked to watch movies, particularly John Wayne movies. His family was important to him and he was very fond of children. Donald was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle and was a caring neighbor and good friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories h made for his family and friends. Pallbearers will be Jim Thiry, William and Melvin Mason, Norman Cullmann, Luis Jimenez, Jr., William Houlihan, Michael and Robert Kinkin. Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice.