NAPPANEE - Earl D. Thomas, 89, of 155 E. Indiana Ave., Nappanee, died at 1:50 a.m. March 5, 2011, in his residence after a short illness.
He was born Jan. 14, 1922, in Kosciusko County, to Nilas and Myrtle Schell Thomas. On April 7, 1946, he married Maxine J. Jensen, who preceded him in death Oct. 9, 1973.
A lifetime Nappanee area resident, he was a World War II Army veteran, serving in England, France, Germany and Holland. He was awarded the good conduct ribbon and the European theater combat ribbon with four battle stars. After returning from the war, he worked at Mutschler Brothers, Nappanee, for more than 40 years until his retirement. He also did some farming. He was a member of the First Brethren Church and the Nappanee American Legion for 43 years.
Surviving are a son, Robert (and spouse Marsha) Thomas, Nappanee; three daughters, Rosetta Thomas and Polly (and spouse Steve) Hershberger, all of Nappanee, and Susan (and spouse Levi) Hochstetler, Elkhart; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Thomas.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, with the Revs. Janet McFall-Brown and Bart Shaw officiating. Military graveside services are by Nappanee American Legion. Burial will be in Stony Point Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
