Obituary of Janice Ann Thomas

Janice Ann Thomas, 70, of Cave-In-Rock, IL passed away at Hardin County General Hospital on Monday, July 18, 2022. Janice was born in Harrisburg, Illinois on January 9, 1952, to Richard Milo Milligan and Freda A. (Milligan) Mathews. She was a member of Keeling Hill Church.
Janice married the love of her life, Marvin, on June 20, 1968. Over the years she worked for chore housekeeping; Reed’s Grocery; and did housekeeping at the courthouse.
Janice had a nurturing spirit and loved growing things. She was an exceptional cook and could make a delicious meal from what appeared to be nothing. She was a master at cooking wild game. She created beautiful quilts, dolls and other very unique creations. At one time or another, she has made a handmade quilt for every one of us. She crocheted an assortment of handmade items. She loved researching genealogy and for Christmas literally hand wrote a book for each one of us siblings, children and grandchildren which was an amazing outpouring of love. She enjoyed camping and nature. Janice was a composer of beautiful poetry, actually a book was published featuring some of her work. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, friends and her beloved dog Gizzy.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Marvin Thomas; two children, Rickie (Beverly) Thomas of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois and Josh (Heather) Thomas of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois; Dale (Misty) Shaw of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois who was like a son to her; twenty-one grandchildren: Drew Thomas, Drake Thomas, Arika (Christopher) Smith, Daci (Damon) Gilbert, Desteni Thomas, Chanceler Thomas, Chase (Savannah) Lampert, Christopher (Alyssa) Thomas, Aaron Thomas, Stephanie Tomasiewicz, Tommy (Brittany) Tomasiewicz, DJ Thomas, Jana (Cody) Taylor, Zakery Thomas, Shayla Shaw, Alex Thomas, Alexia Smith, Tyler Thomas, Taylyn Thomas, Lucas Thomas, and Lakaya Thomas; twenty-one great-grandchildren: Austin, Liam, Brooklyn, C.J., Lily, Mila, Alli, Kylee, Addi, Trinity, Kainen, Ezra, Roland, Gia, Anthony, Hayley, Brantley, Hadleigh, Colten, Abby, and Ellie; four siblings: Donna (Corky) Winters of Golconda, Illinois, Teresa Dutton of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, Randy Milligan of Eldorado, Illinois, and Sheila (Jim) Shelby of Golconda, Illinois; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Milligan and Freda (Milligan) Mathews; sons, Richard “Richie” Thomas and David “Davey” Thomas; brothers, Dennis Milligan and DeWayne Mathews; father and mother-in-law, Jack and Martha Thomas; and brothers-in-law, Terry Dutton, Phillip Thomas, and Harold Thomas.
A celebration of her life was held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Keeling Hill Church in Elizabethtown, Illinois.

To purchase flowers and gifts locally, visit www.RosiclareFlowerBasket.net .