Robert E. Thomas, 81
Robert E. Thomas, 81, of rural South Whitley, died at 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Miller’s Merry Manor, Columbia City where he had been a resident since January.
He was born March 21, 1930 in Cleveland Twp., Whitley County, Indiana a son of the late, Russell S. and Lillie (Kendall) Thomas. His formative years were spent on the farm in Cleveland Twp. He attended South Whitley Elementary and graduated from South Whitley High School in the top of his class in 1948.
A life long farmer, he began his work career raising chickens as a young boy. He became a dairy and grain farmer for 70 years, fifty of which was Grade A dairy. As an accomplished dairy farmer, he was the first in the area to participate in artificial breeding and worked with Purdue University to improve area dairy herds. He provided milk testing services to other area dairy farmers. Retiring from dairy farming, he then raised sheep with over 250 head. He took great pride in providing quality food for the consumer market.
He was a member of Pleasant View Church of the Brethren where he served as a Sunday School Teacher fostering youth participation and activities.
Surviving relatives include his brother, John F. (Deborah) Thomas, South Whitley; nephew, Bryan (Carolyn) Thomas, Fort Wayne and two nieces, Anita Karst, Memphis and Suzanne Thomas, Cincinnati.
The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley with Rev. Josh Armstrong officiating. The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery. The visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Pleasant View Church of the Brethren.
He was born March 21, 1930 in Cleveland Twp., Whitley County, Indiana a son of the late, Russell S. and Lillie (Kendall) Thomas. His formative years were spent on the farm in Cleveland Twp. He attended South Whitley Elementary and graduated from South Whitley High School in the top of his class in 1948.
A life long farmer, he began his work career raising chickens as a young boy. He became a dairy and grain farmer for 70 years, fifty of which was Grade A dairy. As an accomplished dairy farmer, he was the first in the area to participate in artificial breeding and worked with Purdue University to improve area dairy herds. He provided milk testing services to other area dairy farmers. Retiring from dairy farming, he then raised sheep with over 250 head. He took great pride in providing quality food for the consumer market.
He was a member of Pleasant View Church of the Brethren where he served as a Sunday School Teacher fostering youth participation and activities.
Surviving relatives include his brother, John F. (Deborah) Thomas, South Whitley; nephew, Bryan (Carolyn) Thomas, Fort Wayne and two nieces, Anita Karst, Memphis and Suzanne Thomas, Cincinnati.
The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley with Rev. Josh Armstrong officiating. The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery. The visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Pleasant View Church of the Brethren.