James N. "Ink" Thomas

James N. "Ink" Thomas, 94, of Pekin, IL, formerly of Groveland, having received the Sacraments of The Catholic Church, passed away at 9:30 PM Thursday, January 9, 2025 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria surrounded by family. Ink was born on February 15, 1930 in Spring Lake Township to Andy and Erma (Hafley) Thomas. He married Della Antonini on September 5, 1948 in Keokuk, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Kathy Pearson; brothers, Carl, Loren and Earl Thomas; and sisters, Sylvia Freeman, Imogene Arms and Shirley Crane. Surviving are: his wife, Della of Pekin; one son, Gordon (Linda) Thomas of Hopedale; one daughter, Stephenie (John) Bowman of Pekin; seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren, one sister, Louise Collison of Bluffs, IL and one son-in-law, Howard Pearson of Pekin. Ink graduated from Manito High School in 1948. He was a recent member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin but was previously a 70-year member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Morton. He volunteered while the church was being built doing many jobs including, assembling and installing the pews, pouring sidewalks and anything else that was needed over his years there. He was a member of Carpenters Local #231 in Pekin and worked for Burdick Home Improvement. Ink was an avid fisherman and loved bowling. He was very talented at fixing things and completing problem projects. His treasure truly was his loved ones and family was very important to him. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January, 15, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Michael Andrejek as celebrant. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory. A visitation will be from 4:00 6:00 PM after the Rosary. Cremation will be accorded after the Mass and private family burial will be on Friday, January 17, 2025 in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. Memorials may be made in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To view Ink's livestream funeral click St Joseph Funeral Mass - Ink Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, January 15, 2025 11:00 AM St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church 303 S. 7th St Pekin,IL 61554 Rosary Service Tuesday, January 14, 2025 3:30 PM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Tuesday, January 14, 2025 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554