The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
In early 2025 John began talks with longtime funeral directors, friends, and avid fans of Oquawka, Mark and Tricia Thomas, who own and operate Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.
With John wishing to slow down and spend more time with his family, John felt the community of Oquawka and the surrounding area of Henderson County would be better served if this transition took place. Mark and Tricia will take ownership of the Oquawka firm on July 1, 2025.
Mark and Tricia have a deep love for the village of Oquawka and Henderson County as a whole. Mark and his family have been spending time in Oquawka since 1974, as boaters and dock renters at Devore’s Marina for many years and later renting and eventually owning different cabins along the Mississippi just north of Oquawka.
Mark and Tricia currently enjoy their house on Third Street and love to spend as much time in town as possible.
Mark Thomas says, “Our promise to the families of Oquawka and the surrounding area is to provide top notch service to you in your time of need.
“Effective immediately, all funeral arrangements will take place at the funeral home in Oquawka. We look forward to getting to know our friends and neighbors better through serving and caring for you during a most difficult time.”
Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka was designed and erected by John Turnbull. The facility was always the dream and desire of John’s father David Turnbull, who had always wished to have a funeral home in Oquawka.
David’s dream of a facility in Oquawka was not accomplished before his death on November 4, 1989. After his death, David’s son John wanted to honor his father’s dream and began the project by purchasing property on 10th Street, between Schuyler and Warren.
John has proudly operated Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka since the building’s completion in 1991. John’s wish is to make certain that a funeral home remains in Oquawka, and you are served in a manner that honors his family’s tradition to funeral service and knows that Mark and Tricia will carry on his family’s legacy.
John Turnbull with new owners Tricia and Mark Thomas