Leatha Louise Thoele age 83, of Good Samaritan Home Quincy, IL , formerly of Teutopolis, IL died on March 7, 2011 at 1:15 p.m. in the home. She was born June 13, 1927 in Olney, IL a daughter of Leander "Lea." and Verna (Handke) Koontz of Newton, IL. She married John Joseph "Speed" Thoele on June 1, 1949 in St. Francis Church in Teutopolis. Witnesses were Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Niemeyer. Leatha and Speed lived in Teutopolis and were members of St. Francis of Assisi Church for over 50 years. Speed died in November of 2003, and at that time Leatha moved to Quincy.

Leatha worked for the Unit 50 Schools in Teutopolis for 22 years before retiring. She was a member of St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Quincy.

Leatha was a breast cancer survivor since 1994. She and Speed enjoyed RVing, playing cards with friends, neighbors, and grandchildren. Leatha liked spending time in her flower gardens, crocheting and making crafts.

Survivors include her two sons, Craig Thoele of Effingham, IL and his wife the late Deanne (Thompson) Thoele; Brigadier General Scott Thoele and his wife Paula (Wensing) Thoele of Quincy; Grandchildren Hallie Thoele, Trisha Mathews and her husband Chris of Quincy; and Ryan, Jonathon and Shannon Thoele all of Quincy; A sister-in-law, Viola "Tudy" Brinka of Neoga, IL; Also surviving are family members, Nellie Koontz and her daughter Dianne Koontz of Teutopolis along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

Leatha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, daughter-in-law, Deanne, a sister Geraldine Butcher and her husband Wayne; a sister, Rosalie in infancy, sisters-in-law, Mary Weber and husband Ben; Genevieve "Ginny" Niemeyer Pals and husbands Arthur and Walter; a brother-in-law George Brinka and several nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Quincy by the Rev. Donald Blaeser, O.F.M. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Duker & Haugh with a parish prayer service at 5:30 P.M.

Interment will be on Saturday, March 12, 2011 in St. Francis Cemetery, Teutopolis, IL; following a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning at Bauer Funeral Home in Teutopolis. In lieu of flowers Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.