Edward Thistlethwaite

Opelousas A Gathering of Remembrance for Edward A. Thistlethwaite, age 90, will begin at 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, 2012, at LafondArdoin Funeral Home of Opelousas. The Reverend Benny Reppond will conduct the service.

Mr. Thistlethwaite, a resident of Washington, LA, died on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at his residence with his loving family by his side.

Ed, a longtime pilot, served his country honorably by enlisting with the United States Army Air Corp as a pilot in May of 1942 during World War II. He holds a European Theatre Ribbon and a Purple Heart. He completed 25 combat missions with the 339th Fighter Group. He was a prisoner of war in Germany for 11 months, but escaped in April of 1945. Later, he owned and operated Star Dusters, a crop dusting business, in Washington, LA for 30 years. Ed was a member of the Elks Lodge 1048 and a graduate of Louisiana State University as a Mechanical Engineer. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his daughter, Dona Thistlethwaite of Washington, LA his son, Lex Thistlethwaite and wife, Mary, of Opelousas, LA his grandchildren, Christina, Vincent and Gino Marino and Alex Thistlethwaite all of Baton Rouge, LA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ginny Thistlethwaite daughter, Noel Thistlethwaite his long time companion, Thelma Culbertson his parents, John and Charlotte Thistlethwaite his brothers, John, Hugh and Lote Thistlethwaite and his sister, Dona Umland.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

LafondArdoin Funeral Home of Opelousas 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, La. 70570, 337 9422638 has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Visitation

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Sunday, October 28, 2012
1:00 p.m. until time of service

Service

Funeral Home Service

LafondArdoin Funeral Home Chapel
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Sunday, October 28, 2012
2:00 p.m.