Ronald Thompson

RONALD J. THOMPSON, 79 ROCKFORD - Ronald J. Thompson, 79, of Rockford died at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in PA Peterson Center for Health. Born May 7, 1932, in Rockford; the son of Ralph J. and Maybelle V. (Chapman) Thompson. Graduate of West High School, Class of 1951. Served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1953. He married Shirley M. Rasmussen on June 22, 1957, in Rockford. Ronald worked for many years as a licensed X-ray technician at Rockford Memorial Hospital, SwedishAmerican Hospital and the Tuberculosis Association. Member of First Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the church choir, served on the property committee and was a member of the men's prayer breakfast. Also an active member of the Shriners, Chanters, Demolay, Masonic Lodge 166 and Centerville Grange. Ronald had a special interest in music, especially classical music, and he was a volunteer usher for the Rockford Coronado Concert Association for more than 55 years. Survived by wife, Shirley; children, Richard (Theresa) Thompson of Byron and Shelley Thompson of Naperville; grandchildren, Nicholas (Abby) Thompson and Sarah Thompson; sister, Barbara Thompson of Rockford; cousins, Virginia Pearson, Jeff Pearson, Jan (Mike) Pastuska, Christopher (Nicole) Pearson, Jennifer Pearson and Sheryl (Bryan) Berndt; and special friend of the family, Doretta Carlson. Predeceased by his parents. Service at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, in First Presbyterian Church, 406 N. Main St., with Pastor Beth Wagner officiating. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 6, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., North Main Chapel, 2811 N. Main St. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707, Heartland Hospice, 6885 Vistagreen Way, No. C, Rockford, IL 61107; or PA Peterson Center for Health, 1311 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107. To share a memory or condolence, visit olsonfh.com.