John R. "little john" Thorne

JOHN R. “little john” THORNE 1943 - 2011 John R. (little john) Thorne, 67, of Aurora, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. He was born September 30, 1943 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was an active member of St. Therese of Jesus Parish and a member of Aurora #736 Knights of Columbus Council and Phoenix Club. John was a visible Pro-Life witness for the unborn. He attended numerous Aurora City Council meetings concerning the Planned Parenthood Clinic speaking on behalf of those who could not speak for themselves. He worked in education for 34 years in Oswego, IL, beginning in 1966. Fifteen years were at Eastview Elementary followed by nineteen years at (Reeve) Thompson Junior High School. At Eastview he worked beginning as a Grade 6 teacher for seven years and then for eight years as an assistant principal. The next nineteen years, he taught Grade 6 at Thompson Junior High School. John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy (Neu), of Aurora, and three daughters: Shellie (Norb) Poss, Sue (Greg) DellaFranco, and Jenny (Dan) Herda. There are seven grandchildren: Alexandra, Emily, Hannah and Samantha Poss, Jacob and Joshua Herda, and Zachary DellaFranco. He is also survived by two sisters and a brother: Janet (LeRoy)Wright of Las Vegas, Mary Jo (Bob) Mitchell of Aurora, and Paul A. (Shiela) Thorne of Glen Allen, Virginia: mother-in-law Ruth Neu, brother-in-law Tom (Nita) Neu, sisters-in-law Rose (Dave) Greenbusch, Marge (Bob) Turner, Mary (Don) Martin, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents Bruce and Eleanor (Barr) Thorne, a sister Marilyn Collins, and his father-in-law Albert J. Neu. The family extends a special thanks to the staff of Vitas Hospice, especially his nurse, Sue Schlegel; Carol Lynne Wilkins and Larry Rybak. Special thanks also to Rosa Price who was his caregiver for 17 months and the numerous family and friends who gave their time to help provide care. John will be sorely missed by his family and friends. There wasn’t a person he met whose name he did not learn. He was famous for sharing his yellow prayer cards with everyone, hoping to make a difference in their lives. He certainly made a difference in ours. As was the custom throughout his life to ask for a charitable donation instead of a personal gift, it is requested that in place of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following: Mother Teresa of Calcutta Missionaries Sisters at their Chicago office – Missionaries of Charity, 115 N. Oakley Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612-2262; Marmion Abbey Guatemala San Jose Priory and Seminary, (Please send donations to Marmion Abbey, 850 Butterfield Rd. Aurora, IL 60502), St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Therese of Jesus Chapter, 271 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora, IL 60505, or Joe & Eric Scheidler Pro-Life Ministry: Pro-Life Action League, 6160 N. Cicero Ave., Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60646 Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 9:30 AM from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY to St. Therese Church 271 N. Farnsworth Avenue, Aurora at 10:00 AM; Fr. Robert Camacho will officiate with interment in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, June 27, 2011 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a Liturgical Wake Service at 7:00 PM at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 North Lake Street, Aurora. 630-631-5500. Please visit our new memorial website at www.daleidenmortuary.com where you may leave condolences for John’s family or sign his online guest book.

John R. "little john" Thorne

September 30, 1943 - June 22, 2011