Delories Thon

Delories Marie Thon went to be with her Lord on Thursday, July 14, 2011. She was born August 1, 1933 in Ness City, KS to Matilda Shupman and Phillip Paul. She was baptized on August 2, 1933 at Sacred Heart Church in Ness City. She graduated from Scott City High School in Scott City, KS in 1951. She married Clifford Allen Thon on April 4, 1951. To this union were born Gregory Thon of Debary, FL; Linda Sowers of Colby, KS; Stephen Thon of Overland Park, KS; Stephanie Wessel of Colorado Springs, CO; Michelle Strahota of Surprise, AZ; and Valerie Latham of Dallas, OR. Delories and Clifford lived in San Diego, CA where Clifford was stationed in the US Navy from 1951 until 1954, when they moved back to Healy, KS to run the family farm. They lived there until the farmhouse was destroyed in a fire in 1981. They moved to Scott City, KS at that time. In 1984, Delories and Clifford divorced. In 1985, Delories, along with daughters Michelle and Valerie, moved to Phoenix, AZ., where Delores opened an in-home daycare business and was a caregiver to young children. Delories was a devote Catholic and very active in the church. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Scott City, KS; St. Helen's Catholic Church in Glendale, AZ and St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Surprise, AZ. She was a member of the Altar Society and helped teach religious classes to prepare children for their First Communion. She was a devoted care giver to the elderly and to young children. For nearly ten years, Delories battled the effects of kidney failure and was on dialysis 3 days a week. Despite the limitations imposed by her health condition, she still enjoyed playing cards, trips to the swimming pool and park with the grandchildren, old movies, music, American Idol, crafts, coloring books, barbecues, and homemade ice cream. She was also able to make the occasional trip back to Kansas for the weddings of some her grandchildren. Delories is preceded in death by her mother, father and step-mother. She is survived by her 6 children, 23 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, her brother, Phillip Paul Jr. of Wichita, KS, her half brother Frank Paul of Scott City, KS, her half sister Carol Ohmart of Lawrence, KS; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Delories was honored at a funeral mass held at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Surprise, AZ, on July 21, 2011. A committal service will be held in the chapel at Holy Cross Cemetery in Avondale, AZ. A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, KS.