James Robert Thill
April 29, 1927 — August 21, 2018
James Robert Thill was born April 29, 1927, in Olpe, Kansas, the son of August and Hattie (Freetag) Thill. He passed away Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at his home in Pleasantville, Iowa, at the age of 91.
James attended school in Olpe, Kansas. He came to Iowa in 1946 and met his Iowa sweetheart Lillian Hoch. They were married August 18, 1948. James and Lillian celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary three days before he passed.
To this union five children were born—Jim, Dan, Randy, Doug, and Brenda. James and Lillian’s children...and later grandchildren and great grandchildren…brought much joy to them. Many hours were spent together with family playing cards, visiting, enjoying meals, and attending church. The family farm was located ten miles south of Pleasantville with all five children graduating from Pleasantville High School. Following James’ stroke in 1986 at the age of 59 he continued farming despite the loss of the use of his right side. Together James and Lillian enjoyed working together raising chickens, sheep, pigs, cattle, and gardening. In the early 70’s they enjoyed growing a huge garden, selling vegetables and fruits at the Knoxville and Des Moines Farmers Markets. They continued participating as vendors at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market for over 43 years, including this year.
Family and friends have always been important to James and Lillian. With sisters, brother, nieces and nephews living in Kansas, James enjoyed taking his family on many trips throughout the years to Emporia, Kansas, and Topeka, Kansas, visiting family.
James was number seven of eleven kids. Preceding him in death were his parents, August and Hattie; sisters Louise Banium, Evelyn Sterbenz, Helen Carr, Bertha Applehans, Sister Helen Mary Thill SCL, Dorothy Eberhart; brother Ralph Thill; infant brother; and daughter-in-law Janice Thill.
Survivors include his wife Lillian of 70 years; sons Jim, Dan (Cynthia), Randy (Sharon); Doug (Leanne); and daughter Brenda (Frank) Wadle all of Pleasantville; seven grandchildren: Bryan (Amy) Thill, Lisa Thill, Thomas (Tricia) Thill, John (Whitney) Thill, Jared (Elizabeth) Thill, Taylor (Austin) Darnell, Kaylea Thill; nine great grandchildren: Madyson, Riley, and Ryder Thill; Payton Thill; Braxton, Tatum, and Skylinn Thill; Kerra and Lillian Grace Thill; and sisters Leona Dieker and Betty Payne of Emporia, Kansas.
Visitation for James will be Friday, August 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary following at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Knoxville Saturday, August 25, at 10:00 am. Following a luncheon at the church, burial will be at Rosemount Catholic Cemetery.
James attended school in Olpe, Kansas. He came to Iowa in 1946 and met his Iowa sweetheart Lillian Hoch. They were married August 18, 1948. James and Lillian celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary three days before he passed.
To this union five children were born—Jim, Dan, Randy, Doug, and Brenda. James and Lillian’s children...and later grandchildren and great grandchildren…brought much joy to them. Many hours were spent together with family playing cards, visiting, enjoying meals, and attending church. The family farm was located ten miles south of Pleasantville with all five children graduating from Pleasantville High School. Following James’ stroke in 1986 at the age of 59 he continued farming despite the loss of the use of his right side. Together James and Lillian enjoyed working together raising chickens, sheep, pigs, cattle, and gardening. In the early 70’s they enjoyed growing a huge garden, selling vegetables and fruits at the Knoxville and Des Moines Farmers Markets. They continued participating as vendors at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market for over 43 years, including this year.
Family and friends have always been important to James and Lillian. With sisters, brother, nieces and nephews living in Kansas, James enjoyed taking his family on many trips throughout the years to Emporia, Kansas, and Topeka, Kansas, visiting family.
James was number seven of eleven kids. Preceding him in death were his parents, August and Hattie; sisters Louise Banium, Evelyn Sterbenz, Helen Carr, Bertha Applehans, Sister Helen Mary Thill SCL, Dorothy Eberhart; brother Ralph Thill; infant brother; and daughter-in-law Janice Thill.
Survivors include his wife Lillian of 70 years; sons Jim, Dan (Cynthia), Randy (Sharon); Doug (Leanne); and daughter Brenda (Frank) Wadle all of Pleasantville; seven grandchildren: Bryan (Amy) Thill, Lisa Thill, Thomas (Tricia) Thill, John (Whitney) Thill, Jared (Elizabeth) Thill, Taylor (Austin) Darnell, Kaylea Thill; nine great grandchildren: Madyson, Riley, and Ryder Thill; Payton Thill; Braxton, Tatum, and Skylinn Thill; Kerra and Lillian Grace Thill; and sisters Leona Dieker and Betty Payne of Emporia, Kansas.
Visitation for James will be Friday, August 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary following at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Knoxville Saturday, August 25, at 10:00 am. Following a luncheon at the church, burial will be at Rosemount Catholic Cemetery.
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