Gunnar Thorén's Obituary
Sven Gunnar Thorén, age 86, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 4, 2019 at 6:22 a.m. in his home.
Gunnar was born on August 30, 1932 in Jönköping, Sweden, the fifth of seven children, a son of Sven Gerhard and Ebba (Normann) Thorén. In 1957, he immigrated to the US. In 1960, he married Marilyn Mitchell and to this union two children were born. He proudly served in the armed forces in Sweden before moving to the United States. Gunnar had a long career in banking and was very proud of his role in the start of FSM Development Bank in Micronesia. During his youth he enjoyed playing soccer and hockey. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching soccer, or as he called it, "the real football," skiing and sailing. Gunnar served as president of the Annandale, VA Kiwanis Club, and was a member the Annandale Chamber of Commerce and Lion's Club in Northern Virginia. After moving to Pinckneyville, he became a member of the Pinckneyville Community Hospital Auxiliary, where he faithfully served at the front desk every Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pinckneyville, IL, where he sang in the choir and was a member of the Methodist Men.
Survivors include his life partner, Bonnie Tolbert of Pinckneyville, IL; two children, Elizabeth (Richard) Crosby of Millstadt, IL and Erik Thorén of Kirkwood, MO; four siblings; Ingrid Thorén, Karin Bergstrand, Bengt Thorén and Olof (Eri) Thorén, all of Sweden; two grandchildren, Trevor Crosby and David Crosby; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two siblings, Lars Thorén and Eva Hagerty.
Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday, July 13, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
A celebration of life service will be at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Don Meeks officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pinckneyville Community Hospital Auxiliary.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with arrangements.
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