Anne Louise Thurston, 66, of Shelbyville, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, after a long courageous fight with breast cancer.
She was born June 19, 1959, in Frankfort, Indiana to Donald L. Sanders and Jane A. Sanders (Stradtman). On April 7, 1979, she married Roger E. Thurston, and he survives.
In addition to Roger, Anne is survived by her mother, Jane Stradtman, stepmother Pamela Sanders of Franklin, daughter Reba Kennard (Troy) of Shelbyville, son Will Thurston of Nineveh, and bonus daughter, Megan Thurston of Shelbyville. Also surviving is her sister Linda Sanders (Jeff Wagoner), brother D.L. Sanders (Melissa McDaniel), nephew Aaron Sanders; grandchildren Maddie Kennard (Jaydan Garrett), Kyle Kennard, Alexis Thurston, Chloe Thurston, Keaton Kennard; great grandchildren, James, Nevaeh, Liam and Jadeline, all of Shelbyville.
She was preceded in death by her father, stepfather Dick Stradtman and grandson Nolan Kennard.
Anne was a 1977 graduate of Southwestern High School and is a lifelong Member of the West Street United Methodist Church.
Anne has held the position of Shelby County Assessor since September 2008 and during her tenure received multiple awards including East Central District Assessor of the Year, East Central District President, and ICAA Board of Directors East Central District President. She also worked her favorite “part time” job at H & R Block for 33 years. She was a Member of Business and Professional Women’s Association, Member of the International Association of Assessing Officers, and a Member of the Indiana Association of Assessing Officers.
Anne loved everyone and never met a stranger. She participated in community outreach and ministries of the church, judging the Bears of Blue River Parade, riding in parades and the Republican Party, especially manning the booth at the county fair, and working the polls. She enjoyed her church family, going to Beef & Boards with family and friends, playing Euchre with her Assessor friends, watching movies, going to Cagney’s, taking family vacations in the Tennessee mountains and being scared of the bears, drinking sweet red wine from Dr. Baker’s Brandywine Creek Vineyards & Winery, but most importantly, her family meant the world to her.
Memorial donations can be made to the West Street United Methodist Church – Capital Improvement Fund, 629 S. West Street, Shelbyville, or the Cancer Association of Shelby County, 31 Public Square, Shelbyville.
The family would also like to thank the outstanding and caring staff at Ashford Place, MHP and Dr. Cole for all their kindness, concern and care they provided Anne during this difficult journey.
Services will be held on Monday, June 30 at Glenn E. George Funeral Home from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and from 10:00 am – 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 1 at the West Street Methodist Church. Services will be held directly following the viewing.
The burial will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Services are entrusted to Glenn E. George Funeral Home.
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