Mary Eva Thurman, age 75, of Belleville, Ill., born May 10, 1949 in Alton, Ill., passed away suddenly on April 12, 2025 at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, Ill.
Mary was the daughter of William and Phoebe, nee Ballard, Flint. She was a 1972 graduate of Cornerstone University and worked as a social worker for over 30 years at various agencies, including the Division of Family Service in Missouri, Christian Family Life Center, where she also served on the Board of Directors, and Lutheran Child and Family Services as Director of Adoption Services. For the past 20 years, she was active in the political scene to include serving as Past President of the St. Clair County Republican Women organization, and as a legislative aide and staffing assistant to U.S. Congressman Mike Bost. Mary enjoyed flower gardening and was a devoted mother and dear friend to many. Her dedication to serving the needs of children and her deep patriotism will be long remembered.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Ed Thurman, daughter Rachel Wintersmith, sister Charlene Spurrier, and brothers Charles W. Flint and Terry W. Flint.
Surviving are her daughters Phoebe (Elizabeth Hall) Thurman of Baltimore, Md., and Leah Flores of Belleville, Ill., grandchildren Olivia, Daniel, and Lorena; siblings Lindy (Ron) Sutton of Alton, Ill., Cindy Geluso of St. Charles, Mo., David (Galina) Flint of Seattle, Wash., step siblings Kathy Theobald of Phoenix, Ariz., Pat Geluso of S. Car., Weldon Theobald of Texas, Jim Theobald of Calif., sisters-in-law Gertie Thurman of Florissant, Mo., and Anne Thurman of Swansea, Ill., and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations are suggested to assist the family via https://gofund.me/d266d9bd
Memorial Services to celebrate the amazing person that she was will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Life Church Metro East, 4180 Smelting Works Rd, Swansea, IL 62226, with visitation beginning at 11 am, and a service to follow at Noon.
The Thurman family is being served by Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, Ill. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
