Stephanie Ann Thomas (née Bratko) died unexpectedly from complications from her knee replacement surgery performed on July 15th and then passing away on July 17th 2020 the age of 76 at St. Francis Hospital in Mooresville Indiana. She was born July 10th 1944 in Oak Park Illinois; Stephanie grew up in Arlington Heights Illinois.
Stephanie is survived by; A Son Brian Thomas and granddaughter Aspen Thomas both of Sedona Arizona; siblings, Garret T Bratko (Wife Nancy), Elk Grove Village IL, Deborah Lee McCurry (Husband James) Baton Rouge LA, Darryl Joseph Bratko, Baton Rouge LA, Vanessa Marie Bratko Harrisburg IL. She is preceded in death by her husband Anthony M. Thomas & Son Perry S. Thomas, Mother, Eleanor Marie Bratko (nee Coughlin) Father, Stephan Andrew Bratko, Brother, Craig Michael Bratko, Sister, Mary Ellen Shunneson & Niece, (Baby) Vanessa Marie Ogle.
Stephanie was the first of 7 children born, and lived up to the mother hen attribute of a first born!! Always trying to keep the tribe in some sort of good behavior. She was a great talker – she could just talk and talk and talk about anything at any time. You heard the saying she drink you under the table? Steph could talk you under the table. And drink she could not!! One drink and she would be out like a light!! Steph as we called her was a great lover of horses – and believe it or she did cross rail jumping in her younger days. As she grew older the barn was a place, she loved go. Her horses were like friends she would so lovingly care for as if they were her babies!!! She was like a hoarse whisper!! And I think they talked back to her!!! She just loved having & caring for them!!! Later in life she took up quilting and was a member of Mansions in Heaven Church in Bloomfield
Stephanie graduated from Arlington High School – then proceeded to work at an Illinois Bell office in Arlington Heights. Stephanie married Anthony (Tony) Thomas on October 21 1967 (and spent 53 years together). They bought a house in Downers Grove where they lived and raised their two boys. She was an Executive Secretary for United Van Lines – (where Tony worked) located in Downers Grove. Stephanie and Tony picked up and moved down to Bloomfield, Indiana to finish out life. Before retiring she worked at an Otis elevator company & had misc. jobs before retiring.
She was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Sister and she will be dearly missed by all!!
She was cremated and Steph and Tony’s ashes will co-commune in an urn built for two. This was Steph’s idea and last laugh, Tony!!! Their final resting place is still yet to be decided – May they rest in peace and in the loving arms of their Lord & Savior Jesus Christ?
The memorial service will be held at Mansions in Heaven Church in Bloomfield Indiana on August 1st at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Mansions in Heaven Church.