Obituaries
1
tree
planted in memory of Bruce Thornburg
Obituary for Bruce Thornburg
Bruce Thornburg, 70, of Peoria, IL, passed away Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home with family at his side.
Bruce was born June 12th, 1951, in Milwaukee, WI to W. Howard Thornburg and Eleanor A. (Sawyer) Thornburg. He married Kathi Bennett on August 12th, 1972 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Peoria.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathi (Bennett) Thornburg, his daughters Beth Schroff (Jim Stewart) of Springfield, IL, Bree Ekhoff (Brandon Young) of Buffalo, IL. Also surviving are siblings Mary Lou Thornburg (Chloe King) of Needham, MA, Bea McCoy of West Bend, WI, Howard Thornburg of Memphis, TN, and Thomas (Pam) Thornburg of Springfield, IL. Bruce is fondly remembered by his grandchildren Christian, Trent, Luke, and Emily. Also surviving is his faithful companion, Lambeau. Bruce formed very special relationships with Kathi's sisters, Kris (Jim) Lidgard and Julie (Bill) Benzel, and a lifelong family friend, Marilyn Twining. Thank you to good friends and faithful visitors, Tom and Joanie Burke.
Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Grayson, sister Bev Thornburg, and niece Brenda McCoy.Â
While growing up, Bruce lived in Milwaukee, WI, Xenia, OH, then Peoria, IL. Bruce attended Richwoods High School and played football, baseball, and was an avid wrestler. Bruce graduated from Illinois Central College with a degree in Police Science. Bruce went to work at Youth Farm Juvenile Detention Center in Hanna City before working as an insurance investigator for Equifax. After Equifax closed their investigation division, Bruce worked as a machinist for Caterpillar, retiring in 2012. Bruce also worked part time for the Peoria Symphony Orchestra ending his 25+ years with the PSO as Stage Manager.Â
Bruce was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers and shared that with his wife and grandchildren. He enjoyed his Friday afternoons with his friends, the Hofbrau crew and time spent with friends and family. Anyone that knew Bruce loved his quick wit and humor along with his incredible talent of talking like Donald Duck.Â
Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Peoria followed by a Memorial Mass at the Church at 11:00 AM with Father Thomas Taylor officiating. Cremation Rites have been accorded.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: FOTCOH, (Friends of the Children of Haiti), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, First United Methodist Church: Loaves & Fish Medical Clinic, Sophia’s Kitchen or OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.
The family greatly appreciates the care Bruce received from his caregivers at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. To express condolences online, visit www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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Bruce was born June 12th, 1951, in Milwaukee, WI to W. Howard Thornburg and Eleanor A. (Sawyer) Thornburg. He married Kathi Bennett on August 12th, 1972 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Peoria.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathi (Bennett) Thornburg, his daughters Beth Schroff (Jim Stewart) of Springfield, IL, Bree Ekhoff (Brandon Young) of Buffalo, IL. Also surviving are siblings Mary Lou Thornburg (Chloe King) of Needham, MA, Bea McCoy of West Bend, WI, Howard Thornburg of Memphis, TN, and Thomas (Pam) Thornburg of Springfield, IL. Bruce is fondly remembered by his grandchildren Christian, Trent, Luke, and Emily. Also surviving is his faithful companion, Lambeau. Bruce formed very special relationships with Kathi's sisters, Kris (Jim) Lidgard and Julie (Bill) Benzel, and a lifelong family friend, Marilyn Twining. Thank you to good friends and faithful visitors, Tom and Joanie Burke.
Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Grayson, sister Bev Thornburg, and niece Brenda McCoy.Â
While growing up, Bruce lived in Milwaukee, WI, Xenia, OH, then Peoria, IL. Bruce attended Richwoods High School and played football, baseball, and was an avid wrestler. Bruce graduated from Illinois Central College with a degree in Police Science. Bruce went to work at Youth Farm Juvenile Detention Center in Hanna City before working as an insurance investigator for Equifax. After Equifax closed their investigation division, Bruce worked as a machinist for Caterpillar, retiring in 2012. Bruce also worked part time for the Peoria Symphony Orchestra ending his 25+ years with the PSO as Stage Manager.Â
Bruce was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers and shared that with his wife and grandchildren. He enjoyed his Friday afternoons with his friends, the Hofbrau crew and time spent with friends and family. Anyone that knew Bruce loved his quick wit and humor along with his incredible talent of talking like Donald Duck.Â
Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Peoria followed by a Memorial Mass at the Church at 11:00 AM with Father Thomas Taylor officiating. Cremation Rites have been accorded.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: FOTCOH, (Friends of the Children of Haiti), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, First United Methodist Church: Loaves & Fish Medical Clinic, Sophia’s Kitchen or OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.
The family greatly appreciates the care Bruce received from his caregivers at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. To express condolences online, visit www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
9
Nov
9:30 AM
- 11:00 AM
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
6001 N University St
Peoria, IL 61614
Memorial Mass
Tuesday
9
Nov
11:00 AM
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
6001 N University St
Peoria, IL 61614
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