TERRY LANTHRUM

Date of Birth

September 3, 1949

Date of Death

April 18, 2022

UPDATE! DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE AT LIONS CLUB PAVILLION FOR TERRY HAD BEEN POSTPONED. NEW DATES AND TIMES WILL BE UPDATED WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

Joseph Terry Lanthrum, age 72, of Elburn, passed away quietly at home, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, in the early morning hours of Monday, April 18, 2022.

He was born September 3, 1949, in Hillsboro, IL, to proud and loving parents, Patrick and Victoria Lanthrum.

Terry grew up in Hillsboro, helping his family on the farm and attended local schools. He graduated from Hillsboro High School with the class of 1967.

He continued his education at Eastern Illinois University, graduating in 1971, before receiving his master’s degree from University of Illinois in 1978.

Terry met Linda Anderson in the halls at Bradley Central Junior High School where they both taught. They may not have passed notes in class, but the connection they made stood the test of time. They were united in marriage on June 27, 1975. They began their new life together in Kankakee, IL and began raising a family that would include two sons. 14 years of memories later, the family moved to Elburn in 1989 so Terry could work as the school principal at Hinckley/Big Rock High School.

Terry was a history teacher who also coached basketball and track at Bradley Central Junior High School and even though later he rose to rank of principal, Terry continued to coach intramural and little league baseball teams, especially when his sons began to play. Later in 1991, Terry left the classroom and pursued Real Estate as well as Banking before retirement came calling. He was never one to stay idle, so for the past ten years he worked Security at Mooseheart in Batavia, meeting everyone with his trademark smile and warm welcome at the gatehouse.

Terry was a proud member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. Terry was also a long-serving member (since 1992) and President of the Blackberry Township Community Mental Health 708 Board. Beginning in 2010, he also volunteered as a direction of the INC Board, which makes annual grants to agencies that provide services to individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders in southern Kane County. He was most recently a member of the INC Board Executive Committee and had previously served as Board President.

Terry also served as an election judge in Kane County, following in the footsteps of his mother Victoria, who was a long-standing judge in Montgomery County.

Terry was the biggest St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, much to the chagrin of many friends and family. Proud to the core, he wore the red anytime he could, his head held high. Even when his strength deteriorated in the last days, Terry could rattle off the starting lineup of each Cardinals team that went to the world series from 1946-1968. Basically, you started a conversation about baseball with Terry at your own risk because hours could slip by before you had a chance to break away. Terry immersed himself in his family and became a part of anything that they did, from bands to jobs to living in different countries, he never let an opportunity go by without checking in with each of his sons. He coached all their teams, helped with every paper route, went to all their shows, and when the day came to a close, he listened to every word and memory shared, relishing in the telling and retelling. When grandchildren came into the picture, Terry couldn’t have been prouder or more in love. It was that kind of love that gave him the strength to beat back the same cancer, not once but twice, and included a brutal, life-altering surgery seven years ago. That strength and determination made sure that he had 7 more years to love and get to know his grandchildren, which echoed decades of the kind of love and support he gave his sons. Terry was not only a great husband, father and grandfather, he was amazing to his core. The world may be poorer for his absence, but rich as kings for those lucky enough to make his acquaintance, let alone a memory or two.

He now leaves his loving wife of 47 years, Linda Lanthrum; two sons: Nathan Patrick (Dana Fortunato) Lanthrum and Andrew Joseph (Allison) Lanthrum; two grandchildren: Joseph Kenneth Lanthrum and Ellis Anderson Lanthrum; two brothers: Mike Lanthrum and Denny Lanthrum; one brother-in-law, Bob Fuehne; many nieces, nephews and a family of friends from across the countryside.

He was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Patrick and Victoria Lanthrum and one sister, Patricia “Patsy” Fuehne.

Private family services have been held, but a gathering of extended family and friends is planned for May 21, 2022, 11-4 p.m. at the south pavilion of the Elburn Lions club. Please come and share your love, support and favorite memories of Terry.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lighthouse Foundation, 210 S. 5th St., Suite 104, St. Charles, IL 60174, as well as Brothers and Sisters of Love, 2907 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60616. Tributes and memories can also be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can see Terry’s full life story.

Private family services have been held, but a gathering of extended family and friends is planned for May 21, 2022, 11-4 p.m. at the south pavilion of the Elburn Lions club. Please come and share your love, support and favorite memories of Terry.

10 thoughts on “TERRY LANTHRUM

  1. Linda and family. I am sending my love and sympathy to all of you. I hope you will treasure all of the memories and pray they will comfort you in the days to come.

  2. Terry and I worked side by side at my newsstand back in the 60’s. I soon recognized he was headed to bigger and better things. It has been my pleasure to know the family over all these years. My deepest sympathy. George and Reonna Leible, Hillsboro Illinois

    1. George and Reonna, , Thank you so much for posting this. Terry always loved Hillsboro, and always loved coming back to visit. It was Main Street folks like you, Mel Heselov, Walt Finley– folks that worked at our Dad’s store– Wilbur Jurgena, Gene DalCanton, Tom Garvin, so many others that would bring smiles, and start the story telling. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. Denny Lanthrum

  3. We are so sorry to hear of Terry’s passing.I have good memories of Terry and I working together at the Kane County flea market. He had a tremendous personality with all the people he worked with and all the customers who visited the flea market.He was so proud of his family and enjoyed talking about them. You have our deepest sympathy, Jerry, Lonna

  4. Being the born educator that Terry was, he always loved being around people. I don’t think he had an enemy, and I know he never knew a stranger! For many years, he worked traffic control at the Kane County Flea Market, assisting vendors and customers, He worked for the Kane County Cougars, directing visitors, and for the past 10+ years, he worked part time security at Mooseheart campus. If a worker or tradesman would come to his gate, and maybe having a bad day– Terry would engage him to talk. He may be playing some obscure music on the car radio, and Terry would say, if you like that, you may want to check out this music. People would almost always leave an encounter with Terry in a better mood that when they got there.

  5. I just want to extend my condolences to the entire family. We will keep you in our prayers. May the many warm and fun memories of this wonderful man comfort you!

  6. Terry’s legend reached as far as Taiwan; his memories will surely be shared far and wide for many years to come. I am thankful for the handful of conversations we had over the years. The world is definitely a better place for legacy he has left.

  7. Dearest Lanthrum Family, I’m so very sorry for the loss of Terry. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. I’m a 1980 Mooseheart graduate and had the pleasure of getting to know him. Last summer my employer (Endpoint Corporation) was busy at Mooseheart working on utilities Rehab and Construction. I was managing all the Construction and had the opportunity to see Terry every day he worked at the front security gate. We had such wonderful conversations about everything. I truly miss his smile and very pleasant demeanor. May God’s blessings fill all of you with hope and strength during this time of loss. Today I just had a wonderful visit with Brother Mike at the front gate. Talking of memories of Terry. I hope to be able to meet Linda and the entire family at the Memorial service next month 🙏.
    Kind Regards,
    Mark LaRosa

  8. Having worked with Terry on both the INC Board and the Blackberry Twp. Mental Health 708 Board, I know how dedicated and committed he was to his community. He was a pleasure to have as one of my bosses. Losing Terry was like losing a favorite uncle. I will miss him greatly.

  9. Linda and Lanthrum Family
    I was saddened and stunned to hear of Terry’s passing. Please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences Linda and my prayers and for you all. God bless, Kathy

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