Gladys June Thomas, 80, of Marengo, IL, passed away Tuesday, September 8th, 2026, at Anam Care in Rockford, IL. She was born February 4th, 1946, in Taylorville, IL, the daughter of Wayne and Margie Craig. She married Don Duane Thomas on October 21st, 1967, in Taylorville, IL.

Gladys attended Taylorville High School, graduating in the class of 1964. As a young woman, she enjoyed dance and helped teach gymnastics. Her first job was working for Dr. Butler, an optometrist, in Taylorville, IL. His daughter, Caroline Rodden, was Gladys’s longtime friend. Gladys later moved north to Lake in the Hills, IL where she served as a crossing guard for her daughters’ elementary school and then became a secretary for the Des Plaines Sod Center in Algonquin, IL. Gladys worked for the Sod Center for over 26 years.

Gladys was very artistic and loved to draw, paint, and wood burn. She also loved gardening and could make a planter for flowers out of anything. She really loved cats and had many pet cats over the years – most recently “Gypsy Rose.”

Surviving is her husband, Don Thomas of Marengo, IL; daughters, Angie (Brad) Walker of Winnebago, IL, and Mary Ann (Scott) James of Oregon, IL; granddaughters Olivia James, Morgan (Cameron) Baum, and Madeline Walker; grandsons Ethan, Owen, and Evan James and Noah Walker; great grandsons Julian, Axel, and Reese Baum; a sister Belva (Jay) Lawson; and a brother Dale Craig. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother Rex.

The family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.