Gary Thompson benefit set for Saturday

[March 23, 2012]  MANITO -- Gary Wilbur Thompson, 51, a 1978 graduate of Forman High School and a lifelong resident of the Manito-Forest City area, spent four months in the hospital from February to May 2010. He was diagnosed with several different infections, including bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, mastoiditis and urinary tract infection. Complications from this resulted in Gary having partial paralysis in his right ankle and foot.

In March 2011 he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer. He has been on chemotherapy since then and is being considered for a stem cell transplant. The long and numerous hospital stays, chemo and additional medical expenses have drained their family finances.

Thompson worked as a maintenance technician for Wallick Properties for 21 years, but he has been unable to work since becoming ill in 2010.

He served on the Forman Fire Department and was an EMT for the Forman Ambulance for 10 years.

He is the son of the late Gaylen and Verna Thompson. His siblings are George (and Linda) Thompson of West Plains, Mo; Ken (and Carol) Thompson of Pekin; Ron (and Pam) Thompson of Wood River; Patty Thompson Harris of Mason City; and Michael (deceased) (and Autam) Thompson of Manito. He married Valerie Lasley of Forest City in 1993. They have five daughters and 17 grandchildren.

There will be a benefit Saturday at the Peoria Sportsman's Club at Spring Lake to help with the ever-increasing medical expenses. The address is 6404 Bass Road, Manito.

A fried chicken dinner will be served beginning at 3 p.m. A Winchester Model 94 30/30 lever-action rifle will be raffled. Auction items, basket raffles, a 50-50 drawing and the band Far From Over are all part of the evening's activities. Auction items and basket raffles will begin at 6 p.m. The live entertainment will start at 7 p.m., with the popular band playing a variety of music for all ages. The drawing for the Winchester and the 50-50 drawing will be at 8 p.m.

Advance tickets for the gun raffle and 50-50 drawing can be purchased individually, or buy four and get one free. A maximum of 1,000 tickets will be sold for the gun.

A "Gary Thompson Benefit" account has been set up at the Manito Community Bank, 105 S. Adams, Manito, IL 61546.

For more information, or to donate items for the auction or basket raffle, or to purchase advance tickets for the raffles and 50-50 drawing, people can contact Gary and Valerie at 309-348-9579 or email [e-mail]. Arrangements can be made to pick up items.

(See publicity.)

[Text from file received]