Mr. Howard F. Thie, 81, of LaHarpe, Illinois passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 1:14 P.M. at the McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois.

He was born on August 31, 1929 in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Abner and Grace Hueholt Thie. On January 10 , 1952 he married Marilyn Rinker in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Mr. Thie served in the US Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in Guam. He worked at Champion Co. for 9 years in Quality Control and then for 37 years at NTN Bower in Macomb as a Manufacturing Engineer. He retired in 2003. He was a member of the LaHarpe Union Church and served on the committee that oversaw the addition to the church building.
He was raised on the family farm in Franklin Twp., Des Moines County. As a young man he was a member of the 4H and won many blue ribbons for his prize cattle. He raised Holsteins and operated a dairy farm while living in Iowa. He moved to Illinois in 1966. He was a supporter of the Heifer Foundation.

He is survived by his wife, 2 daughters, Dr. Linda Thie of Punta Gorda, Florida and Angela (Jim) Painter of Goodfield, Illinois, 1 son Frederick Thie of LaHarpe, 3 grandchildren, Jameson Painter, Joe Painter and Lauren Painter and 2 brothers, Donald Thie of rural Burlington and Robert Thie of rural Sperry, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Mr. Thies life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 27, 2010 at the Union Church in LaHarpe with Rev. Bruce Goettsche officiating. A flag presentation ceremony will be performed by the LaHarpe American Legion. Burial will be at a later date at St. Johns Cemetery near Burlington. A memorial has been established for the LaHarpe Union Church. There will be no visitation. Banks & Beals Funeral home in LaHarpe is assisting with the arrangements. Read Rev. Goettsche's message here .