Francis 'Frank' L. Thill

WATERFORD - Francis 'Frank' L. Thill, 76, passed away after an illness on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at Ridgewood Care Center. Frank was born on January 14, 1934 in Barron, Wisconsin to the late Edward F. and Bessie (nee: Lyon) Thill. He lived in Chetek as a child and graduated from Chetek High School in 1951. Frank moved to Kenosha in 1951 and to Racine in 1952, where he met and married Eleanor M. Petersen on April 23, 1955 at the Franksville United Methodist Church. Frank served his country proudly in the United States Army from December 1955 through November 1957, an SP-4 in the 2nd Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany and continued in the reserves until 1961. He was an active member of the Franksville United Methodist Church for 30 years, where he was Head Usher, Lay leader and a member of the Men's Club and choir. Frank presently belongs to the Burlington United Methodist Church, a member of 24 years, where he was involved in two Indian Mission Work Camps. He and Eleanor sang together in both choirs for 50 years. Frank was employed by S.C. Johnson, Inc. for 37 years as a chemist in Research and Development. He was a member of the JMBA 20 Year Club. He was active for many years in city league sports, playing softball, basketball and bowling. In later years he was involved in umpiring and refereeing. Frank enjoyed traveling, especially the 1972 cross-country trip with his wife and three children. He also enjoyed the trips to Hawaii, Arkansas and out east. He loved music and reading and was known by many in Burlington while walking miles through town, when he was well. Surviving is his loving wife of 55 years, Eleanor; his beloved children, John of Fayetteville, AR, Annette (Steve) Lacanne and Eric (Renee) all of Racine; grandchildren, Jesse (Liz) Jared of AR, Erica, Bennett and Maverick Race all of Racine; one great grandson, Chance Gabriel Thill of AR; 7 step-grandchildren, Lindsey, Cassandra, Pamela, Daniel, Jeff, Candace and Steve II; 3 step great grandchildren; former daughters-in-law, Kate Thill of AR and Christine Thill of Racine; 2 brothers, Les (Maria) Thill and Glen (Barb) Thill all of MN; brothers-in-law, Bob (Grace) Petersen, Don(Grace) Petersen and Dick (Barb) Petersen; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Thill, Mae Thill, and Kathy (Frank) Cetrano. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother, Jessie Thill; brothers, Ernest, Peter and Gerald; sisters, Dorothy and Patsy; in-laws, Henry and Marion Petersen and Kasey Cetrano. Memorial services will be held at Burlington United Methodist Church, 857 W. State St, Burlington on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Marjorie Rice Meyers officiating. There will be a visitation at Sturino funeral Home on Monday evening from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service. Cremation and inturnment will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Burlington United Methodist Church or to Franksville United Methodist Church have been suggested.

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Francis 'Frank' L. Thill

January 14, 1934 - August 19, 2010