Donald R. Thorpe, age 84, retired business man and entrepreneur; peacefully slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God on December 11, 2014. A loving husband, father, brother, friend and family man, he will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he touched. He served his country in the United States Air Force for five years, 1 month and 23 days. A skilled and decorated pilot, his final mission as a first Lieutenant during the Korean War was the training of the Republic of Korea pilots to operate the multi-engine C-46 cargo plane. Upon his graduation from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1957 he embarked upon a career in the transportation industry. Eventually he established his own business which he successfully operated from 1972 until his retirement in 1998. A man of exceptional voice, he helped the West Town's Barbershop Chorus achieve the first place International standing in 1987. He is preceded in death by his father Raymond, mother Fern and beloved brother Richard (Karen).
He leaves his survivors, Marcia Waterman Thorpe, devoted wife of 59 years; brothers David (Phyllis) and Jeffrey (Pearl); sisters Carol and Barbara (Steve); sons Stephen (Andrea) of Wichita, Kansas and Donald (Jackie) of Valparaiso, Indiana and daughter Laurel (Tom) of St. Louis, Missouri, to bear the sorrow of his loss. Survivors also include grandsons Andrew and Justin and granddaughters Amanda (Jared) Taylor, Katherine and Sarah and multiple nieces and nephews.
Lying in State, Monday, December 15, 2014, 3 P.M. to 9 P.M. at St. Luke's Orthodox Church, 10700 South Kean Avenue, Palos Hills, IL 60465. Service 7 P.M. Lying in State Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 10:00 A.M. to Time of Service 10:30 A.M. at St. Luke's Orthodox Church. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to: St. Luke's Orthodox Church , 10700 South Kean Avenue, Palos Hills, IL 60465 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Arrangements by, Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, Il 60513. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com