Gail J. Thompson, 65, of Rockford, Ohio, died Saturday, May 10, 2008, at St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima, of an extended illness.

She was born February 14, 1943, in Alma, Michigan, to D. Keith and Marjorie L. (Haney) Knudson.  On August 27, 1966, she married Robert D. Thompson, and he survives.  She had been a second grade school teacher at St. Henry Local School for three years, a child care provider for 20 years, and had been working at Wal-Mart  in Celina for fifteen years. She moved to Rockford in 1998, coming from Coldwater, OH.  She was a member of Coldwater United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, was an advisor of the youth group, was in the United Methodist Women’s Group and played in the Mercer County Volleyball League.  She was a member of the Wal-Mart Red Hat Squigglies, a Cub Scout Den Mother, was a member of the Coldwater Craft Club,  a member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and worked on the Christmas Walk Committee. She was a poll worker and presiding judge for the Mercer County Election Board.

Surviving in addition to her husband, Robert, is her mother, Marjorie L. Knudson, Rockford, formerly of Alma, Michigan and Fort Pierce, Florida; one son, Mark Robert Thompson, New Bremen; two daughters, Linda M. (G. Eric) Temple, Wapakoneta and Cheryl E. (Jeffery G.) Christensen, Brookville, OH; one brother, Max K. (Glenda) Knudson, Vero Beach, Florida, and four grandchildren, Alec and Wesley Temple and Nicholas and Katie Christensen.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Coldwater United Methodist Church with Pastor Allen Brown officiating.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, OH.  Friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, from 2-8 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Memorials may be directed to Coldwater United Methodist Church or the Leota Braun Foundation, Rockford.

Condolences can be sent to ketchamripleyfh@embarqmail.com.

She was born January 12, 1940 in Courtland, Nebraska to Louis Edward and Della Luella (Sargent) Leber. She was formerly married to Darrell Kinney, who survives in Celina.

Surviving are two sons, Mark A. (Renee) Kinney of Mendon,  and Christopher B (Michelle) of Celina; two daughters, Tanya Kinney of Mendon and Teresa (Steven) Brotherwood of St. Marys. There are four brothers and three sisters, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Four brothers and three sisters are deceased. 

Private family services were held. Miller Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.

Viewing was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008