Bess Thornsbrough

Bess Shahadey Thornsbrough, 93, of Westville, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at her home. Bess was born April 10, 1922 in Herrin, Illinois, the daughter of Mose and Mary Shahadey. Bess graduated from Danville High School in 1940. She attended the Danville Institute of Business and the College of Commerce Business Colleges in Danville. Her first job after completing her education was in the office of Conron Hardware. She left there to work in the Law Office of H. Enest Hutton until she was asked to work at the Danville Youth Administration (NYA). She remained there until the office was dissolved by the US Govt. She then was employed by Wilson Bros. Shirt Factory which later sold to Smoler Brothers and finally to M. Snower & Company, all in Danville. While her sons were in school, she participated in many school activities. She was president of Mother's Club, co-chairman of band boosters. She was a member of Astoria and Danville Order of Eastern Star. She was chairman of the Astoria Centennial Parade. She was a member of the Illinois Business and Professional Woman's Club, a member of Danville Ladies Elks Bowling, a member of the Westville Women's Club, of Westville's Home Extension. She was a member of St. Barbara Church Ladies. Bess married Wayne F. Thornsbrough in 1944. They had 3 sons, premature twins Michael Wayne and Rodney Blayne, and Gregory Dean. Rodney Blayne died 11 hours after birth. When Wayne became an Illinois State Trooper in 1959, the family was transferred to Fulton County, Illinois, District 8, where they lived in Astoria until their sons graduated high school there. They were then assigned to Pekin, Illinois. Bess became employed as classified editor of the Pekin Daily Times. She remained there for several years until she was approached by the Tazewell County Health Department to help them get the newly formed department started. She remained there until the family was assigned to District ten 1974. Upon their return they settled in Westville, Illinois. The family bought and operated the Tasty Delight Ice Cream Store in Tilton, Illinois as well as the Kustard Delight in Westville, Illinois. The family operated the stores for fourteen years before retiring. Bess was a member of the St. Barbara Orthodox Chapel in Danville. Surviving Bess are: her sons, Michael Wayne and Gregory Dean Thornsbrough of Westville; two nieces, Janet (Tom) Moreiko Gagen and family of Swansea, Illinois, Mary Sue(Peter) Lahood Leo of Santa Rosa, California; two nephews, Charles Wayne (Janice) Shahadey of Herrin and family, Anthony Lahood of Santa Rosa, California. She is also survived by a special nephew, John Blair of Champaign, his daughters, sisters and brother and their families. Also surviving are brothers-in-law, Harlan Thornsbrough and family, David (Carolyn) Thornsbrough and family, all of Alvin; sisters-in-law, Shirley Stephenson and family of Alvin, June Cain and family of Pittsboro, Indiana, and Jo Lynn Sutton and family of Alvin. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, her wonderful Mother and Father, her dear brother Charles Shahadey and his wife Dorothy, her two precious sisters, Katie Shahadey Lahood and Rosie Shahadey Moreiko and their husbands Anthony C. Lahood and John J. Moreiko, a half-sister Katherine Schultz and her loving daughter Delores Schultz Mullen. A celebration of Bess' life at 11:00am, Friday, January 29, 2016, at Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel, Westville, with Reverend Michael Contos of Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church of Champaign officiating. Visitation will be held 9:00am to 11:00am Friday prior to her service at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park, Danville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in Bess' name to American Diabetes Foundation, American Heart Association, or fund for the family. Please join her family in sharing memories through her Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Visitation Jan 29, 2016 Friday, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel 414 S. State Street Westville, IL 61883 Service Jan 29, 2016 Friday, 11:00 AM Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel 414 S. State Street Westville, IL 61883 Final Resting Place Sunset Memorial Park 3901 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834