Thole, Andrew

Andrew B. “Andy” Thole, 82, of Aviston, died Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Caring First Nursing Home in Breese. He was born February 6, 1928 in St. Rose, son of Anton F. and Louise (Ottensmeier) Thole. He married Bertha A. Litteken on April 15, 1952 in Aviston and she survives in Aviston. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Dale (Rebecca) Thole of Trenton, Donna (Dave) Lohman, Daniel (Margie) Thole, David (Terry) Thole, and Darrel (Jackie) Thole all of Aviston; 13 grandchildren, Jason (Hope) Lohman, Janelle Lohman, Jesse (Heather) Thole, Ashley (Brock) Rommelman, Joseph Thole, Matthew Thole, Michelle Thole, Lori Blanchard, Nicholas Thole, Andrea Thole, Kristi Hilmes, Kelli Buschmann, and Keith Thole; 6 great-grandchildren; 5 sisters, Rose Litteken of Marine, Agnes Wise of Breese, Teresa Kollmann of Trenton, Helen (Bernard) Wiegmann of Ottawa, Cecelia (Roger) Wellen of Albers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Irene Thole of New Baden, Alice Thole of Nashville, Laura Kapp of Marine, Ruth & Clarence Kapp of Highland, Leo & Pat Litteken of Albers, Maurice & Bonny Litteken of Highland, Jane & Joe Gebhart, and Judy & Jim Boehler all of Aviston. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Alvis A.F. Thole, Walter Thole, Theodore Thole, Anthony Thole; one sister, Delores Litteken; brothers-in-law, Chester Litteken, Joseph Litteken, Edmund Wiegmann, Norman Kollmann, Eugene Trame, Edgar Kapp, Ray Haukap, Steve Holtgrave, Leonard Litteken, Stanley Litteken, and Jerome Litteken; sisters-in-law, Clara Mae Thole, Lynn Thole, Esther Trame, and Irene Holtgrave. Mr. Thole was a dairy farmer and a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of St. Francis Parish where he was formerly an usher, a member of the American Legion Post 1239, Madison County Farm Bureau, and formerly a board member at Mater Dei High School. He loved polka music and playing cards. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2010 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston with Rev. Dan Friedman and Deacon Charlie Litteken officiating. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2010 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 23, 2010 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, St. Francis Parish, or to Mater Dei High School and will be received at the funeral home.