Mr. Thurman Dale "Thurm" Pressler, 95, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Elkhart General Hospital following a brief bout with Covid on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 12:53 am. He was born in Elkhart on the 4th of July in 1925 and was the son of the late Charles A. and Cleo D. (Schick) Pressler. On October 1, 1949, he married Ida J. Neff in Decatur, MI. She passed away in Elkhart in February of 2019 after 69 wonderful years together.

He is survived by his son, Steven (Susan) Pressler; daughters Diane (Gregg) Moser and Sandra (Dennis) Church; eight grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter, as well as a host of extended family and friends. Brothers Charles, John Sr., Paul and Gerald Pressler precede Thurm in death.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation is to take place followed by a private burial with Military Honors at the family plot at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart. The United States Marine Corps Funeral Honor Guard along with the Elkhart Marine Corps League will render honors and Sister Nora Frost of Grace Lutheran Church in Elkhart will deliver a brief message. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a memorial celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Thurman served gallantly during WWII in the United States Marine Corps as a machine gun crewman during the battle of Guadalcanal. During his time there, Thurm had the occasion to be subjected to withering enemy machine gun and artillery fire during combat. To keep himself calm and focused, he recited the 23rd Psalm over and over again. This came to be a great comfort for him, and subsequently led him to become a devout Christian because of his intense wartime experiences overseas.

Thurm went on to retire from the Elkhart City Water Works and the Elkhart Community Schools as a bus driver after many years of faithful service. Although being born into the Brethren Church, he belonged as an active member of Grace Lutheran Church of Elkhart where he served as an usher; but nothing would warm his heart as much as spending time with his family and grandkids up at Long Lake. He was a master carpenter and fix-it guy, built several houses during his life and never did lose his bond of love with the 23rd Psalm.

Memorial donations may be given to Church Community Services in Thurm's honor. Thank you for your interest in Thurm's life story.