Carole Thomas

Carole Sue Thomas, went into the arms of her loving Savior on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, with her family at her side. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Maranatha Assembly of God, Decatur, IL, with visitation 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 22, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Decatur, IL. The family requests memorials be made to Maranatha Assembly of God, or Imboden Creek Living Center - Activity Fund. Carole was born August 23, 1941, in Macon, Illinois, the daughter of John L. and Eunice (Woolfe) Williams. She was named after the actress Carole Lombard. Carole married Arleigh James Thomas in Macon, Illinois on April 4, 1958, and in three weeks, they would have celebrated 55 years of marriage. Carole drove a school bus for many years in Macon, a job she truly enjoyed. But her favorite job was wife, mother, and grandmother. In September 2013, Carole is to be blessed with her first great grandchild. Carole was a devout servant of the Lord, having accepted him as her Savior in 1966. She had a passion for serving the Lord thru song. She sang for many years in a gospel group "The Sonshine Trio". Carole's family deeply mourns her loss. She is survived by her husband Arleigh "Bones" Thomas; daughter Kathy Altherr and husband Steve of Decatur, IL; son Brad Thomas of Tolono, IL; grandchildren Erik Potrafka and wife Lorena of St. Charles, IL, Jared Potrafka of Decatur, Seth Thomas of Blue Mound, IL, and Kristin Stephens and husband Mike of Columbus, MS; brother-in-laws Ron (Carol Lee) Thomas of Clearmont, FL, William (Vonnie) Thomas of Decatur; special friends David & Julie Hite. Carole was preceded in death by her parents, sister Wilma Jostes, brother-in-law Lyle "Sheep" Jostes and nephew Mike Jostes. The family wishes to thank Debbie and Kim of St. John's Home Health, Dr. Kim Hannekan, and the kind and loving staff of Imboden Creek Living Center. "
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