Thurman L. "T.L." Holt, age 86, of Rochelle, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 at P. A. Peterson Center for Health in Rockford, IL after a long illness. He was born on May 31, 1922 in Cross County, AR, the son of Ernest P. and Lydia (Williams) Holt. T.L. married Vivian O. Eppes on Nov. 28, 1940 in Cross County, AR. and the family moved to Rochelle in 1952. Prior to retirement, he was a truck driver for Sprout and Davis Oil Company. He along with his wife, Vivian owned Holt's Grocery. He also owned his own excavating business for a number of years and then in the later years, he was an independent trucker until retirement.. T. L. was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He was preceded by his parents, an infant sister: Evelyn, infant brother: David, and 3 brothers: Henry, Clyde, and Ernie Wayne.

Survived by his wife of almost 68 years: Vivian of Rochelle, Daughters: Rita A. Holt of Opportunity House in DeKalb and Lynda L. Lawson of Rochelle; brother: Ray (Bessie) Holt of Rochelle; 3 grandsons: Tim (Heather) Potts of Oscoda, MI, Jim (Wendy) Potts of Jefferson City, TN and Tom (Heather) Potts of Speedwell, TN; and 6 great grandchildren: Kristen, Zack, Jaimee, Jill Anne, Emily and Hannah Potts and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Unger-Horner Funeral Home on 10:30 AM, Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 with his great nephew, Rev. Ken Holt. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday the 30th at Unger-Horner. Burial at Trinity Memory Gardens. Memorials to the Alzheimer's Unit at P. A. Peterson.