Neola P. Thompson Obituary (1913 - 2006)

Neola P. Thompson, 92, of Pana, died Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 2:50 p.m. in her residence. She was born October 26, 1913 in Charleston, IL, the daughter of Ernest E. Teresa Young Tedford. Neola attended Brown's Business College, Decatur, IL and studied the pipe organ at Wesleyan University in Bloomington-Normal, IL. She and her late husband moved to Pana in 1949. She had been the organist for the Evangelical United Brethren Church, Decatur several years, then served as organist for the First United Methodist Church of Pana for over 25 years. She was currently the organist for First United Presbyterian Church, Pana, a position she has held for the past 15 years. She was a retired newspaper correspondent for the Decatur Herald and Review, Springfield Journal-Register, Pana News Palladium, and WTIM radio. She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church, Pana, Presbyterian Women's Assn., a past secretary for the Pana Community Hospital board; member of Pana Community Hospital Auxiliary, Pana Home and Garden Club, PEO, Fortnightly, and Tuesday Club. Neola was an avid traveler. She loved to play bridge and pinochle and belonged to several card clubs. Neola married Glenn E. Thompson on July 24, 1937 in Decatur, IL. He preceded her in death on August 3, 1990. She is survived by their three daughters: Carol Thompson, Pana, IL; Janet (Forrest) Umberger, Carrollton, GA; and Alice (David) Vaughan, Urbana, IL; step sister: Doris (Don) Collins, Decatur, IL; 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; and AFS Daughter: Ana Larrauri, Caracas, Venezuela (1970-1971). She was preceded in death by a brother, sister, step-brother and step-sister. Funeral Information Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana, IL. Funeral services will be Monday, September 25, 2006 in First United Methodist Church, 619 Kitchell Ave., Pana, IL at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Marilyn Rauch and Rev. M. Thomas Swantner officiating. Committal service will be Monday at 2:30 p.m. in Dundas Cemetery, Dundas, IL.