Carl B. Thomas

Carl B. Thomas, age 97, formerly of rural Rockford, died at 4:15 A.M., Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford, where he had been a resident since Fall of 2010.

Born on August 4, 1914 in Venedocia, Jennings Township, Van Wert County, Ohio. He was the son of the late Howard and Ruth (Boroff) Thomas.

Carl married Dorothy M. (Armacost)
on November 17, 1938 and she died August 28, 1970. He married Ella Lee Pryer on May 19, 1973 and she died in September of 1981.

He is survived by three sons: John (Kay) Thomas and Greg (Judy) Thomas, both of Rockford and Jim (Pam) Thomas of Ft. Wayne, IN; three daughters: Kay Graham of Spencerville, Sarah Sue Mescher of Ft. Benning, GA and Donna (Robert) Stover of Xenia, brother: Dale (Mary Ann) Thomas of Wapakoneta, sister: Ruth May Hubbard of Lafayette, IN, daughter-in-law: Nancy Thomas of Urbana, sister-in-law: Leona Thomas of Van Wert,
2 step-sons: Tom (Shirley) Pryer of Rockford and Ned (JoAnn) Pryer of Celina and a step-daughter-in-law: Sue Pryer-Bell of Florida.

Carl was Grandfather to 21 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Preceding Carl in death were four children: a son, Glen Thomas and three infants, Leonard, Linda and Joe Thomas; a grandson, Jeff Thomas, a great-grandson, Dylan Everman, four brothers, Glen, John, Ross and Doyt Thomas, a sister, Edith Harner, three sons-in-law: Emerson Graham, Thomas Mescher and Dennis Sandman and a step-son: Gary Pryer.

He retired in 1974 from Goodyear Tire and Rubber in St. Marys after 33 years of service.

Carl was a 1932 graduate of Memorial High School in St. Marys, and was a Life Member of the Celina Masonic Lodge #241 F&AM.

He was a Life Member of the Grand Lake Beagle Club, of which he served 19 years as President.
Carl loved his Beagle Hounds and had many Beagle Buddies over the years. He spent numerous days at Field Trials and Dog Shows, where he won many awards.

Friends may call at the funeral home in Celina on Friday, September 16th from 9-11 A.M., followed by Funeral Services at 11:00. Rev. Chip Steffy will officiate. A Masonic Service will be held immediately prior to the Funeral.

Burial will follow at Mercer Memory Gardens, Celina.

Memorials in memory of Carl may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

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