Elmer Thurston Jr.

GALVA – Elmer Thurston Jr., 93, a resident of Allure of Knox County in Galesburg, formerly of Galva, passed away at 4:34 p.m., Friday, June 20, 2025 at the home.

He was born June 2, 1932 in Wyoming, IL, the son of Elmer and Hazel (Hall) Thurston Sr. He married Eva L. Boyce on January 9, 1954 in Alexander, VA and she preceded him in death on April 16, 2016. Survivors include their children, Pam (Steve) Konstanty of Galva, Philip (Sharon) Thurston of Rio, Donald Thurston of Galesburg and Dwayne (Michele) Thurston of Sheffield, nine grandchildren, Julie (Chuck) Forsythe, Fayth (Nathan) Schiltz, Jenni (Jared) Coan, Lisa (Jeremy) Larimer, Shawn, Chris and Ryan Thurston, Eric (Melinda) Thurston and Emily (Patrick) O’Neill and eleven great-grandchildren, Harley, Lita, Erin, Mackenzie, Xavier (Mykenzie) Cameron, Shane, Olivia, Peyton, Raelynn and Archer. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Ashley Thurston and his siblings, Doris Stevenson, Shirley Wilmes, Mary Grammer, Ruby Bass and Kenneth Thurston.

Elmer graduated from Toulon High School in 1950 and then served his country in the U.S. Army with the military police. He had worked for Cherner Motors in Arlington, VA and then as an assembler at the Hyster Company in Kewanee for 24 years. He had the privilege of going on the Honor Flight in 2018 and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and thrilled to see them finally win the World Series! He was a member and elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Kewanee for 53 years and was currently attending the First Baptist Church in Galva.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 24 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva with Pastor Bryan Griem officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. The burial will follow at Galva Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Galva Fusiliers. Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church in Galva or the First Presbyterian Church.

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