Frank L. Thompson

Lt. Colonel Frank L. Thompson, Ret., 77, of Springfield, formerly of Chatham, passed away peacefully, surrounded by those he loved, on Saturday, November 1, 2014, after a long illness. He was born April 20, 1937 in Arrowsmith, Illinois to the late Reese and Lilly Thompson. On September 25, 1995, he married Col. Lucretia Heard, Ret. and she preceded him in death (on June 4, 2011); as did his brothers, Ono, David and Wayne. Frank was known for his wit and keen sense of humor! He developed many deep friendships over the years with friends who continued to visit him throughout his final days. His loving and dedicated family and friends traveled to his bedside in Rockford, where he spent his last few weeks, sharing their time and reminiscing. They valued his friendship and he will be greatly missed. His wife, Lucretia and their son, Elliot, were the love and light of his life. Their love and influence turned his life around. He was described as a loving father to his children and he is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth �Lizzie� Contreras of Rockford; her mother, Marita (Skip) Lellbach of San Diego, CA; sons, Elliot S. Thompson of Springfield and MSG Mark Thompson, USAR; sister-in-law, Sharon Heard of Country Club Hills; uncle-in-law, Ahbran P. (Mae) Resendez of Chicago Heights; many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. LTC Frank Thompson enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1955. His career culminated as the Deputy Director in STARC (-) in Springfield until his retirement in 1997. LTC Thompson dedicated a large part of his life to the full time force of the Illinois Army National Guard. Frank�s military career spanned for 34 years and his wife, Lucretia served our country in the military for 32 years. He worried and cared about the troops and never stopped talking about them until the day he died. Frank was a member of Chatham American Legion Post 759. Visitation: 4-7:00PM, Sunday, November 9, at Staab Polk Memorial Home, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham. Funeral Service: noon, Monday, November 10, at Staab Polk Memorial Home, Chatham, with Pastor Gregg Sowards officiating. Burial: 2 PM at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by the Army National Guard Burial Detail and the Interveterans� Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorials: American Legion Post # 759, PO Box 402, Chatham, IL 62629; DAV, 25 Club Area, Springfield, IL, 62712; Camp Lincoln 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, IL, 62702.