Obituaries

John William "Jack" Thiele Jr.

Photo of John William "Jack" Thiele Jr.
John William "Jack" Thiele, Jr., 83, of Fort Smith died Sept. 3, 2012 at Brookfield Assisted Living. He was born Jan. 31, 1929 in Maynard, Iowa. He graduated with the first graduating class of regular NROTC at Iowa State University in 1951and served aboard the USS Furse, a Navy destroyer, in the early fifties. After his naval service, he continued his education at the University of Minnesota, receiving his Master of Arts in Industrial Relations in 1956. He met and married his wife Marcia while both were working for Whirlpool Corp. in St. Joseph, Mich. The family was transferred to Fort Smith in 1966 with the opening of the local Whirlpool plant, where served as the Director of Industrial and Community Relations. After leaving Whirlpool, he served in many advisory roles, including positions with the State of Arkansas, the State of Wisconsin and as the director of the National Alliance of Business, before returning to Fort Smith where he owned and operated Graphics Place until his retirement. Jack was especially proud of his appointment to the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education in 1973 by President Nixon for a three year term. In 1975 he was appointed acting Chairman of the council and in 1976 he was re-appointed as Chairman by President Ford. He is survived by his wife, Gayle Remer Thiele of Fort Smith; his daughter, Elizabeth Thiele and her husband Gary Yellen of Newton, Mass.; his daughter, Margaret Thiele of Fort Smith; and his grandchildren, Margaret Yellen of New Haven, Conn., and David Yellen of Newton, Mass. In addition, his sister, Jean Turney and husband Richard of Chautauqua, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his parents John and LaVerle Thiele, his wife, Marcia and his son, John William III. Services and Cremation are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Burial will be scheduled at a later date in the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. The family would like to give special thanks to his extended family at Brookfield Assisted Living for the loving care they gave Jack and his loyal dog Gus. Memorials may be made to the Sebastian County Humane Society 3800 Kelley Hwy Fort Smith, Ark. 72904 or the charity of your choice. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Published September 9, 2012

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