Memorials

Genevieve J. Walter-Thomson, 92, of Columbia City, died at 2:25 a.m. Friday, April 9, 2010 at The Oaks Living Center where she had been a resident since August 2002.
She was born August 26, 1917, in Auburn, Indiana, a daughter of Harvey B. and Vivian Ethel (Fair) Elson. Her formative years were spent in Auburn and she graduated from Auburn High School. She continued her education in the School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington. When she was 50, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at St. Francis College.
On August 16, 1941, she was united in marriage to David M. Walter. They made their home in Columbia City. Mr. Walter died in 1979.
She was employed at Scribners Publishing Corp. in Chicago, a buyer for Wolf & Dessauer in Fort Wayne and social worker for Whitley County Welfare Department.
On January 29, 1984, she was united in marriage to William C. Thomson. They also made their home in Columbia City. Mr. Thomson died in 1990.
Her memberships included First Presbyterian Church, Kappa Kappa Gamma at Indiana University and Tri Kappa. She was a volunteer for Passages, Whitley County and Indiana State Mental Health and Mental Retardation Planning Commissions, Girl Scouts and Citizen of the Year in 1992. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Whitley County YMCA and the rebricking project of Chauncey Street.
Surviving relatives include four daughters, Jody McKinney of San Diego, California, Sally Felger of Fort Wayne, Patricia (Steven) Hardy of Encinitas, California, and Candice (Ivan) Snyder of Columbia City; nine grandchildren, Susan Simcox, Beth Ernst, Mary Felger, Kathy Felger, Chad Hardy, Kristen Gall, Stacie Lecklider, Shelley Hansen and Scott Snyder; and 12 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Sean McKinney and Anne Felger; and a sister, Vivian Bates.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Whitley County YMCA or Passages.
Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com