Berwyn "Bert" Thompson

Bert was born December 30, 1927, the son of Eugene and Bertha Thompson. He married Norma Jean Burgar on March 28, 1953, in Springfield, Illinois.

He graduated Feitshans High School in 1945, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in October of 1946, during the World War II era. He was discharged as Private First Class, March 16, 1948. He attended the Sixth Army Specialist Training School in Ft. Ord, California, also known as the Presidio. He transferred to Fort Sheridan, in Lake Forest, Illinois (Chicago), where he completed his term. Since his service was during wartime, he was awarded the Victory Medal. He had a very vivid recall of his time in the service, even able to recall his army serial number as recently as 2020. It made a lasting impression on him and his life.

Upon completion of his military service, he enrolled in Springfield Junior College majoring in music. During his high school years, he played trumpet in a jazz ensemble, and continued in this manner when playing with The Springfield Junior College Orchestra, as well as with the Frankie Leonard Band around central Illinois.

He began working in 1953 at Park Sherman. While working there, he tapped into his interest and talent of drawing and began his career in commercial art freelancing. He created commercial ads for Illinois Bell, the Yellow Pages and others until the late 50s, when he went to work for SP Wright Ad Agency. In 1963, he went to work for the State of Illinois, Department of Transportation, as a cartographer, designing state highway maps, and road signs. Some of his notable work is the design of the Illinois Route 66 sign and the design of Amtrak Brochures and posters in the 80s. All the while, he continued his work in freelance commercial art for local businesses, as well as designing humorous greeting cards. He was the commercial artist behind the creation of Captain Marine for Marine Bank in the 70s. He retired from the DOT in 1993, after 30 years of employment.

Bert immersed himself into all aspects of aeronautics from conventional to experimental models, from an early age. He enjoyed attending many air shows throughout his life, and there were many family vacations that included visits to air museums or car museums, such as the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. He belonged to the Experimental Aircraft Association, and even had a mail order side business where he designed and drafted blueprints for Hughes Racers that could be built on a smaller scale. He shared and mentored his kids, grandkids and even great-grandkid, all the days of his life with his keen appreciation of how things work, both great and small, and instilled it in all of us.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Norma; son Michael D. Thompson; sister Sylvia Coleman; brother Robert Thompson; and granddaughter Lindsey Thompson Letz.

He is survived by two sons: Gary (Diane) Thompson of Sherman and Gregory (Susan) Thompson of Buffalo; daughter Sandy Thompson (Matt) Harris of Warsaw, MO; four grandchildren: Christopher (Ambriel) Thompson of Petersburg, Erica (Thomas III) Christell of Pleasant Plains, Stephanie Kalabus of Springfield, Amy Thompson of Dawson, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Graveside ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at Roselawn Memorial Park with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.