Carl J. Thompson

     Carl J. Thompson 91, of Oakwood, IL., passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020 at The Waters of Covington, Covington, Indiana. He was born on September 15, 1929 in Westville, Illinois to John and Mae (Bubelis) Thompson Sr. 
     He will be dearly missed by his loving companion Patricia "Patty" Bratkowski Stitt.  He is survived by his brothers Faustyn (Shirley) Thompson, Iyrann (Hazel) Thompson; sister, Adry Ann Swaney; sister-in-law, JoAnn Thompson; nieces Deborah (Tim) Strako, Christina (Robb) Dietzen, DiAnn Cottle, Sandy Pearson, Tammy Garza, Gloria (Ricky) Boswell and Betsy Koonce; nephews, Rick Swaney, Steve (Tina) Thompson, Steve Defenbaugh, Dale Thompson, and Kelvin Thompson; many great, great-great nieces and nephews, and cousins; extended family Debbie Schroeder and Cindy (Alan) Krapf and their families: and special friends, Gary and Lori Ann Cravens, who looked after his home while he was ill. Carl was preceded in death by both parents; sister, JoAnn Shapuras; brother, John Thompson Jr; nephews, Tom and Mike White; niece Sherry Defenbaugh; and special friend Zeke Bratkowski. 
     Carl graduated from St. Mary's Catholic grade school in Westville, Illinois, and Georgetown High School in 1948.  Carl loved all sports.  He played minor league baseball with one step away to the major league.  He played football and tried his hand at boxing.  Later in life, Carl played baseball for Westville Bubble Up, Westville Merchants, Danville Twilight League and Eastern Illinois Traveling team.  One of his most memorable events was hitting a home run off of Satchel Paige at the Danville Stadium. He also umpired high school and Twilight League baseball. 
     Carl proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict, being drafted in 1950.  He served with the 1343rd Combat Engineers from Decatur, Alabama. He was right in the midst of fighting and attained the rank of Specialist (SPC). Carl and his three brothers were all in the service at the same time.  He was discharged in 1953. Upon discharge, Carl went to work at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Danville, IL. He spent 30 years working as a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant, being promoted as high as he could go. He was well liked by both patients and staff.  
     Carl was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Danville, IL. He was an active member of the Westville American Legion Post 51 since 1963.  He was in the Honor Guard and held the honor of being the oldest living member at the time of his death.  He also was a member of the Westville Sportsman Club and Pollywogs. Carl was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, rising to the third-degree level. Carl was an avid fisherman, rarely missing a day on the water. He cooked his famous bluegill filets for his family, friends, and organizations.  He was especially known for his Friday Lenten fish suppers at the Knights of Columbus and the Westville American Legion Post 51. 
     Carl was honored and proudly served as the 2017 Grand Marshall for the Westville Labor Day Parade. Through the years, he always took an active role in the parades either walking with the Honor Guard or in later years riding on floats for the Westville American Legion Post 51.  He was proud of his Lithuanian/Polish Heritage making pans of the national potato dish Kugeli for events and family.  Through the years, he made many special and lasting friendships.  These friends will deeply miss him.   
     A celebration of Carl's life will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 231 N. State Street, Westville, IL, 61883.  Officiating the service will be Father Timothy Sauppé with Father Bowan Schmitt concelebrating.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services (10-11 am) at the church. A Catholic Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 am prior to visitation. Masks and safe distancing will be practiced.  Carl will be laid to rest at the Lithuanian National Cemetery on Clingan Lane in Westville, IL with military rites.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his honor to the Westville American Legion Post 51 Honor Guard or St. Paul's Catholic Church in Danville Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Westville, Illinois 414 S State St. Westville, Illinois 61883 is assisting the family with his arrangements.  Please join Carl's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com The family would like to thank the staff at Carle Hospital, Urbana IL., Hawthorne Inn, Danville, IL., The Waters at Covington and the VA Illiana Health Care System, Danville IL. for the care given to Carl during his illness.  

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