Laura Thomas

Laura F. Thomas, 94, of Sheffield died Thursday, June 15, 2017 at her home.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 19th at Mineral United Methodist Church.  Rev. Terry Lancaster will officiate.  Burial will be in Sheffield Cemetery, Sheffield.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Stackhouse-Moore Funeral & Cremation Services, Sheffield.  Memorials may be made to Mineral United Methodist Church or Mineral Museum.

Laura Frances Rakestraw was born August 16, 1922 in rural Mineral, the daughter of George B. and Laura Nellie (Brewer) Rakestraw.  She was educated in Mineral schools and graduated from Mineral High School in 1940.  She attended Augustana College in Rock Island for a year.  Her marriage to Morris Foes took place in September of 1941 in Sheffield.  They were divorced.  She later married Clinton W. Thomas on February 12, 1961 in Sheffield.  He died August 5, 1999.  Laura was a homemaker and a member of the Mineral United Methodist Church where she was baptized.  Her hobbies included flower arranging, flower gardening, and watching the birds.

Those surviving are her children and spouses, Joyce (Foes) and Raymond Dixon, Peoria, Gerald and Mildred Foes, Sheffield, Thomas and Cynthia Foes, Annawan, Marlene (Thomas) Etheridge, Princeton, and Connie (Thomas) Jaggers, Sheffield.  Other survivors include seven grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, four step grandchildren, three step great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and one step great great grandchild.  Her parents, husband, five, brothers, and three sons-in-law preceded her in death.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the caregivers who helped care for Mother for the last two years.  Thank you Kelly Hecktner, Erin Green, Lee Blanford, and Brenda Nimrick.