Gerald Lavern Thompson

Gerald Lavern Thompson
Gerald Thompson 81, of Kirksville, formerly of Worthington passed away Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 at the Northeast Regional Medical Center.
The son of Victor and Helen Ruth (Stokes) Thompson, he was born Feb. 27, 1927 at Worthington, MO. On May 18, 1947 in Queen City at the home of and by Rev Perley Lind he was united in marriage to Ruth Marian Hill who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Brenda McCartney of Columbia, MO, Bonnie Lee and husband Rick of Columbia, MO, and Barbara Deierling of Kirksville, one son, Robert Thompson and wife Sheila of La Porte, IN; three sisters, Vicki Foester and husband Lee, Alice Jean Touchstone and husband John, and Melinda Nevarez and husband Ray, twelve grandchildren, Robin McCartney, Jennifer Ben and husband Steve, Ginger Presley and husband Kevin, Amber Phelps and husband Eric, Jason Lee and wife Terese, Bryan Lee and wife Kelly, Phillip Deierling and wife Tammy, Tara Deierling, Michael Deierling, Daniel Thompson and wife Melissa, Jessicia Thompson and Cory Thompson, one foster grandchild, Sana Mohammed, seventeen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Rosalie Schoonover and Cathy Morton and two son-in-laws, Bob McCartney and Larry Deierling.
Gerald spent most of his life in the Worthington area. He attended the Worthington Elementary school and two years of high school at Worthington. His final two years of high school were spent in the Unionville High School where he graduated in 1944. In the fall of 1944, he entered college, which he attended for about six months, before entering the Army Air Corp where he served for a short time. Gerald was a farmer and really enjoyed it. He also had several small business, feed, produce, and grocery stores. He worked for the Kirksville Daily Express for 27 years before retiring. In 1999 Gerald and Ruth moved to Kirksville.
Gerald was a member of the Worthington Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher for thirty years.
Gerald never new a stranger and was always willing to offer a helping hand. He had a very generous heart. He loved family get togethers and especially loved listening to his children play music. He also loved to travel.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 10, 2009) at the Dooley Funeral Home with Pastor Roger Bushnell and Pastor Robert Beeler officiating. A Eulogy will be given by Rick Lee. Music will be “Daddy’s Hands” and “Silver Bells” by the Thompson family, and congregation hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. Daniel Thompson, organist. Interment will be in the Pleasant Home Cemetery, west of Worthington.
Pallbearers will be Jason Lee, Bryan Lee, Phillip Deierling, Michael Deierling, Daniel Thompson, and Cory Thompson. Honorary bearers will be Robin McCartney, Jennifer Bell, Ginger Presley, Amber Phelps, Tara Deierling, and Jessicia Thompson.
Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday (Feb. 9, 2009) in the
Dooley Funeral Home.
Memorials to Hospice of Northeast MO. Memorials can be sent to Dooley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 155, Queen City, MO 63561.