John Thurston

John David Thurston, 89, died at 5:22 p.m., Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home after completing a long and beautiful life.

He was born in Jerseyville, Illinois on August 29, 1933, one of five children born to William Henry and Thelma Faye (Brown) Thurston.

A lifelong resident of Jerseyville, he served his country honorably with the United States Navy. 

In his early years, John was a barber in Brighton, before accepting employment with Jersey County Grain in Jerseyville. He remained a loyal and dedicated member of the company, retiring in 1997 as a branch manager after nearly 25 years of service.

John was very active in his community and was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, where he always enjoyed telling a good story. His sweet disposition made him an easy conversationalist, and he cherished the many friendships he has made throughout his life. He enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was fishing, golfing, gardening and camping, and could be found on the grill, regardless of the weather.

He was the absolute best husband, Dad and Grandpa, and he cherished his family immensely, and was their biggest supporter in whatever they attempted to do. He was blessed with an amazing life, full of love from his family.

He married the former Mary Jo Burns on July 12, 1958 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton, Illinois, and together they shared 60 years of marriage before her death on March 24, 2019.

Surviving are two daughters and sons in-law, Julie and Steve Fry of Jerseyville and Kathleen and Mark Means of Pueblo West, Colorado; five grandchildren and their spouses, Brad and Suzanne Fry of Long Beach, California, David and Emily Fry of Jerseyville, Matthew Wilson of Fountain, Colorado, Liz and Mike Springman of Godfrey, and Justin and April Means of Godfrey; eleven Great Grandchildren; and his brother, Richard "Dick" Thurston of Jerseyville. 

In addition to his parents and his beloved wife, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother in-law, Elizabeth "Betty" and Louis Crotchett; two brothers and a sister in-law, James Thurston and William and Clessie Thurston; and a sister in-law, Betty Thurston.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father Martin Smith officiating. 

He will be laid to rest in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville, with the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites.

Memorials may be given to St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School in Jerseyville or to Masses.

Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.