Ava,, Claude E. Thompson, 89, of Ava, IL went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:25 pm, on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale in Carbondale, Illinois. He was born July 7, 1923 in Ava, Illinois the son of Samuel J. and Clementine (Underwood) Thompson. Claude married Mildred M. Boehm on Saturday, September 18, 1943 at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Murphysboro, IL. Claude was a retired carpenter and farmer. He was a former Building Inspector for the City of Murphysboro from 1996 to 1999. Claude was the Chairman of Kinkaid Lake Board for 15 years, former Park Manager at Lake Murphysboro, former Trico School Bus Driver and a strong supporter of the building, renovation and preservation of the Bald Knob Cross. Claude was also a member of the Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Murphysboro and he was an avid St. Louis Cardinals Fan. He is survived by his wife, Mildred "Midge" Thompson of Ava; seven children, Shirley (Gary) McComb of Murphysboro, Kathy (Austin) Riggio of Murphysboro, Paul (Trudy) Thompson of Murphysboro, Fred Thompson of Cocoa Beach, FL, Teresa Thompson of Ava, Ken (Pat ) Thompson of Ava and Brian (Patti) Thompson of Ava; 22 grandchildren, Penny Decker, Kuger Petterson, Jeff McComb, Damon McComb, Leslie McComb, Toni Rickenberg, Tiffany Riggio, Nikki Gahagan, Heather Foley, Chris Reiman, Shaun Reiman, Wendy Wallace, Bo Pinnon, Jade Thompson, Holly Thompson, Hilary Thompson, Justin Thompson, Matt Maggio, Tim Maggio, B.J. Thompson, Breanna Thompson and Dacquira Richey; and 24 great grandchildren. Claude was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Janet Peterson and Carol Thompson; five brothers; two sisters; and one granddaughter, Kristin Maggio Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Murphysboro , Illinois with Rev. Jason Brandon officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Murphysboro, IL. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Saturday from 8 to 11 am at the church. The preferred form of remembrance are contributions to Pleasant Hill Cemetery Fund or Southern Illinois Christian Service Camp.