James Thrush

PEORIA - James E. Thrush, age 77, of Peoria, Ill., formerly of Roseville, Ill., passed away at 6:25 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

James Everett Thrush was born in Roseville, Ill., the son of Clyde R. and Ruby M. Livermore Thrush on June 24, 1936. In his childhood home, a duplex, his future wife, Jane Wilson, lived upstairs.

Jim attended Roseville elementary and high schools, graduating in 1954. He earned his bachelor's in science in mechanical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta, and then he earned his master's in engineering administration from Bradley University.

Jim designed, patented and sold industrial equipment vital to the oil and natural gas industries, creating several highly successful companies that, at their peak, employed more than 40 people. He parlayed this success into a real estate company that built incubators for new businesses in both Downtown and North Peoria. His historic renovations won awards from both the city and the Central Illinois Landmark Foundation. His support of the arts community won him Arts Partner of the Year. He was a quiet force and well-respected in the business community. He was the man behind the scenes that assisted in the success of countless others. Jim was an entrepreneur whose sense of vision and ability to helped make dreams come true and was an inspiration to all that knew him.

He married V. Jane Wilson on Aug. 4, 1957, in Roseville, Ill. They had two daughters. Kimberly Sue Thrush married Brian "Fox" Ellis and they live in Bishop Hill, Ill., and Jill Ann Pegg married Robert Pegg and they live in Peoria, Ill.

James Thrush is survived by his wife, both daughters and four grandchildren, Ryan Thrush, Anthony Pegg, Lily Ellis and Laurel Ellis. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews.

He was a loving husband, supportive father and a fun-loving grandfather. He enjoyed fishing with his grandkids, making fun memories with family and friends at Oak Run, discussing family history with his friends and supporting small town historical societies through a celebration of his roots.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ruby Thrush; and his older brother and sister-in-law, Vern and June Thrush.

A funeral service will be Tuesday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at the Roseville United Methodist Church in Roseville, Ill. A visitation, with the family present, will precede the service at 1 p.m. and the burial will be immediately afterward in Raritan Cemetery in Raritan, Ill.

Please consider a donation in his name to the Small Business Development Center at the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University or The Warren County Historical Society in Monmouth, Ill.

For more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.