Thurman W. Bernius, Jr.

Thurman W. Bernius, Jr., 98, of Metamora, IL, passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at his home.

He was born on July 27, 1927, in Muskegon, MI, to Thurman W. and Adrian (Van Maastricht) Bernius, Sr. He married Jean West on February 7, 1947, in Lacon, IL. She passed away on April 27, 1982.

Surviving are his children, Jan Vicary of East Peoria, IL and Kathy (Don) Cook of Bartonville, IL; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Bernius of Vermont, IL; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; brother, Henry Bernius of Amarillo, TX; and sisters, Barbara (Harold) Cordes of Eureka, IL and Carolyn West of Chico, CA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Judy, son Michael, two infant grandchildren, one great-grandson, six brothers, and one sister.

Thurm was a U.S. World War II Navy Veteran where he served in the Pacific Theater. He was a hard-working, generous man that enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Thurm was a life member of the Metamora American Legion Post #89, past member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of 40Et8, Voiture 818.

He was a meat cutter for Metamora Abattoir, West Meat Locker, and Ben Schwartz store and a past member of Meat Cutter’s Local 543. He later worked as a security guard for the Army Corps of Engineers, retiring when he was 82 years old.

He was a life member of Taylor Masonic Lodge 98, AF & AM and Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria. He was also a member of the Mohammed Temple Shrine in Peoria where he was a member of the Legion of Honor and life member of the Moose Lodge.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel with Deacon Louie Tomlianovich officiating with a Masonic Service beginning at 11:15 am. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until the Masonic service. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Metamora with military rites accorded by the Tazewell Military Rite Team. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, Attn: Office of Development or to the Greater Peoria Honor Flight, P.O. Box 5072, Peoria, IL 61601-5072. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.