Shirley L. Thomas

1936 - 2022

Shirley L. Thomas

October 23, 1936-September 17, 2022

MOLINE-Shirley L. Thomas, 85, formerly of Moline, Illinois, died Saturday, September 17, 2022, in Harbor Chase of Villages Crossing, Lady Lake, Florida.

Services are 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 30, at Riverside United Methodist Church, Moline, with The Rev. Bill Adams officiating. Burial is in Rose Lawn Memorial Estates, Moline. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Memorials may be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, Moline, is entrusted with arrangements.

Shirley Lesslyn Thomas, née Dehls, was born to Leslie Carl and Florence Elizabeth (Casteel) Dehls on October 23, 1936, in Kahoka, Arkansas. She married Billy J. Thomas on September 21, 1956, in Cordova, Illinois. Billy predeceased Shirley on October 8, 1975.

Shirley spent ten years at Colt Industries in East Moline before taking a job at John Deere Davenport Works. She was a production supervisor there for 24 years, retiring on October 31, 1998. Shirley enjoyed traveling, particularly taking cruises. When she was home, she enjoyed reading. Her favorite pastime, however, was spending time with her children and grandchildren, teaching them how to lose at Mexican train.

Shirley is survived by three sons, Steve (Bonnie) Thomas of Lewiston, Maine, Keith (Renee) Thomas of Deatsville, Alabama, and Jeff Thomas of Panama City, Florida; grandchildren, Jacob, Zachary, Erika, Steven, Benjamin, Amanda, Sarah, Sandra, Jessica, and Samantha; several great-grandchildren; siblings, Stan (Carrie) Dehls of New Jersey, Cora Ruth Andrews of Moline, and Jean Dehls of East Moline; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Billy Thomas; her significant other of seventeen years, Bernard Rice; and her brothers Joel and Terrance Dehls.

The family invites friends to share stories and messages at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.