Robert William Thon April 9, 1944 – December 20, 2021

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LUSK – Robert “Bob” William Thon was called home on December 20, 2021 after a short bout with cancer. He was born to Bernard and Bettye Thon on April 9, 1944 in Oregon. After World War II ended the family returned to the Lusk area. Bob’s younger years were spent on a farm near Keeline. When he entered high school the family moved to Lusk. Bob graduated from Niobrara County High School in 1962. He then joined the Army National Guard. In 1966 he joined the Navy and became a Seabee. He spent a year on Midway Island and a year in Vietnam. After being discharged in 1972, he returned to the National Guard. His time in the military was very important to him and he loved telling stories of his adventures during this time. Bob worked in the mines near Riverton and Jeffrey City, Challis, Idaho,  Bagdad, Arizona and Winnemucca, Nevada. He retired from mining in 2010.

Bob was a fun-loving person with a great sense of humor and a love for playing pranks on people both at home and at work. He was known as the social butterfly of the family, always taking the time to talk to everyone that crossed his path, making friends wherever he went. His goal was to always get a smile out of everyone. It made his day when someone would come by to sit with him, share a cup of coffee and visit in his shop. Many hours were also spent playing cards with his children and grandkids. For many years he took joy in helping teach a weekly bible study, learning and sharing his knowledge.

He had many hobbies including archery, rock hunting, fly tying, fishing and hunting. Always at the top of the list was woodworking. His rocking horses, giraffes, motorcycles, cows and tractors will always be treasured by many.

Bob married Sandi Potter in 1969. To this marriage Kari, Rob and Kristi were born. They later divorced and he married Elizabeth Darlene Barker. To this union Echo was born. He later reunited with and was married to Darlene K. (Lewis) Campbell Thon for the past 24 years.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Bettye, brothers Roger and Ronald, daughter Kristi, and niece Greta, grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene K. Thon; children Kari (Tom) Reiter, Rob (Conni) Thon, Echo Thon, Traci Jassman, Troy Jassman and Bob Campbell, 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

Bob was cremated and will be buried in the Thon family plot in Lusk at a later date.