Katherine C. "Kay" Thomas

Katherine C. "Kay" Thomas (Nee Sporar), born October 14, 1915 in Joliet, a lifelong resident of Crest Hill, at rest January 18, 2019 at Rosewood Care Center in Joliet, IL.

Survived by her son Randolph (Barbara) Thomas of Chicago, IL and her daughter Susanne (James) Bajt of Libertyville, Il; grandson Andrew Bajt of New York, NY.; granddaughters Ann (Ken) Binkley of Vernon Hills, IL and Claire Thomas of New York, NY; great grandsons Jack and William Binkley of Vernon Hills, IL; sister Lorraine (Robert deceased) Rolih of Joliet. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Preceded in death by her husband Frank D. Thomas; parents Matthew and Katarina Sporar; sisters Mary (Anthony deceased) Gaspich and Victoria (Victor deceased) Bernickas; brothers Matthew (Kay deceased) Sporar, Stanley (Mary Jane deceased) Sporar and William "L.C." Sporar.

Katherine was one of the original founders of Crest Hill, where she served as an election judge for many years, and was known for being the first official Historian of the city for 55 years. In honor of her outstanding service to the community, the Mayor of Crest Hill proclaimed her 100th birthday as Katherine C. Thomas day. She was a charter member of the Crest Hill Women’s Civic League, the Crest Hill Veteran’s and Police Memorial Committee and the Lidice Memorial Committee. Katherine was also an active member of the Parent Teacher Association and Band Parent Association at both Chaney Grade School and Lockport Township High School. She helped form the Crest Hill Lassies drill team and volunteered regularly at their practices and competitions; she also volunteered with the Lockport Township Park District Senior activities and Lockport Township Young Timers Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated.

The family invites relatives and friends to gather at St. Anne Catholic Church in Crest Hill on Saturday, January 26, 2018 for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville. There will be no funeral home visitation or service.