Featuring Decoys From The Collections Of: Bill & Carol Bender William Berry & Pat Kalinsky Peter Brown Gene Carr Richmond Guy
Harold & Nancy O’Connor Carl Olson Maunsel & Ann Pearce Hank Thomas
Hank Thomas Hank Thomas grew up on a farm near Lacon, Illinois during the Great Depression. He learned to hunt and fish off the land as a means of existence. He recalls shooting four black bellied plovers one day, which were some of the finest eating he can remember. Thomas knew Charlie Perdew as the man that fixed guns in Henry. He also remembered that Charlie made a duck and crow call for his father. After four years service in the Air Force, 5th Photo Squadron in WWII Hank returned to Lacon. He spent time hunting ducks at clubs on the river from Granville to Chiado Brothers in Spring Valley. He also helped start the Marshall County Conservation property. In 1958, Hank started collecting decoys and attending decoys shows, including Don Clark’s first show in 1968. He always focused on Illinois River and Mason decoys and said more than once. “I love duck hunting, but believe buying and trading duck decoys is, and was, my most favorite thing to do.” Hank passed away on December 31, 2016 at the age of 96, while enjoying in his favorite room of the house, the decoy room, of course.