Peggy Lou Earnhart ThomasCOLUMBIA CITY – Peggy Lou Earnhart Thomas, 91, formerly of Kimmell, died peacefully at 6:15 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at Lake City Place, Warsaw, where she was a resident for the past five years.
Born on Aug. 14, 1931, in Swan Township, Noble County, she was the first born of nine children of the late Kenneth R. and Wilma A. Scheurich Berkes. Growing up in Noble County, she attended Avilla and Merriam elementary schools and graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1950.
On April 21, 1951, she married Keith John Earnhart. They made their home on a farm in Washington Township, Noble County. Keith died on Sept. 29, 1990. On Jan. 6, 1996, she married William “Bill” Thomas. They continued to live in Noble County. Bill preceded her in death on May 29, 2008.
She began her work career at Wirk Garment Company in Ligonier. Later, she worked for Monsanto, Ligonier. She completed her work career at Dana Corp, Churubusco, retiring in 1981 with 13 years of service.
She was a member of Ormas Baptist Church for over 71 years, the Ormas Missionary Society and the Washington Township Homemakers Club. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially over a game of euchre or other card game.
She is survived by her two children, Randy (Cathy) Earnhart, of Fort Wayne; and Cindy (Roger) Niles, of Syracuse; grandchildren: Heather (Tom) Hoblet, of Midland, Mich.; and Heidi (Aaron) Scales, of Fort Wayne; Krystle Goldsberry, of Fort Wayne; Tara (Kevin) Miller, of Plymouth; and Adam (Brandi) Niles, of Syracuse; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters: Pat Stangland, of Albion; Sandy (Jim) Bills, of Kendallville; and Mary (Kevin) LeFever, of Churubusco; and brothers, Melvin Berkes, of Avilla; and Max (Brenda) Berkes, of Albion.
The funeral service is noon Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the Thorn Cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the service, Wednesday at the funeral home.
