Irvin Thompson

IRVIN EUGENE THOMPSON, 98, of Arcola, IL went home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his loving family at 11:20 P.M. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at the Arthur Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St. in Arcola, IL.  Pastor Paul Orrick will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Arcola Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, April 20, 2018 at the funeral home.

Irvin was born on August 28, 1919 in Easton, MN.  He was a son of A.H. and Bessie Mae (Shane) Thompson.  He married Freda Frantz on January 1, 1948 in Oakland, IL.   They recently celebrated 70 years together.

Survivors include his wife Freda Thompson of Arcola, IL, five children, Kay Hughes of Tulsa, OK, Karen (Gary) Cain, Edwardsville, IL, Ruth (Paul) Cheatham, Kansas, IL, Jane (Steven) Ellsworth, Colorado Springs, CO and Bruce (Lori) Thompson, Arcola, IL, 12 grandchildren, Trevor (Malissa)Hughes, Justin (Emily) Hughes, Stacy (Doug) Moody, Stephanie (Todd) Smith, Joel (Sarah) Cheatham, Jason (Kristin) Cheatham, Sarah (Adam) Vazquez, Hannah Cheatham, Allison (Paul) Pinckley, Lindsey (Garrett) Stephens, Kaitlyn Ellsworth and Jennifer Thompson, and 13 great-grandchildren, Ellis, August and Laney Hughes, Hattie Hughes, Emily, Elliana and Caroline Moody, Savannah Pearl Smith, Samuel and Sophia Cheatham, Grace Cheatham, Tripp and Cooper Pinckley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Jonathan Cheatham, one brother, Frank Thompson and one sister, Grace Hood.

Irvin graduated from Humboldt High School in 1938.

He farmed in the Arcola area his entire life.  His passion was farming.   Irvin always went to great lengths to be a good steward of the land.   He was always looking for innovative ways to improve the family farm.   He was a pioneer in the start of the grain bin industry.   His entrepreneurial spirit led him to become a national sales leader for the Chicago Eastern Grain Bin Company for several years.

Irvin always kept up with area farm sales and auctions, most recently attending one in February of this year.

He enjoyed reminiscing and telling stories with family and friends.

Memorials may be made to the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Oakland, IL or Choices (formerly the Crisis Pregnancy Center)