Harold Ernest “Ike” Thomas
Mr. Harold Ernest “Ike” Thomas, age 90, of Madison, formerly of Versailles entered this life on September 28, 1929 in Cross Plains, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late Ernest William Fredrick and Edna Klusman Thomas. He was raised in Ripley County and was a 1948 graduate of Cross Plains High School where he played basketball. He was first united in marriage in 1952 to Glendora Burman at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dewberry. This union was blessed with a son, Rick and a daughter, Sandra. On February 26, 1952 he was inducted into the United States Air Force in Indianapolis, Indiana. He rose to the rate of Staff Sergeant serving in the 3545th ABGRU ATC in Camera Repair and Photography during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on February 25, 1956 in Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas receiving the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He returned home to Ripley County and began a career with Halcomb Home Center in Versailles from 1963 -1998 serving as the manager.
He was united in marriage in December 1970 to Betty Juanita Linkmeyer and this union was blessed with a son, David. They enjoyed 28 years of marriage until her death on March 26, 1998. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Olean and had served on the Church Council. Ike then worked from 1988 until he retired on December 31, 1994 at Greensburg Lumber in Greensburg where he had worked as the manager.
Ike was united in marriage on January 24, 1999 at the West Port United Methodist Church to Joy Klineline Brown. Ike and Joy settled in Madison and became members of Resurrection Lutheran Church and he served on the Church Council. Ike was very patriotic and was a member of the Leora Weare – Versailles American Legion Post No. 173. Ike was a devoted husband, loving dad, grandfather, great grandfather and brother. Harold died on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison, Indiana.
A LOVING FAMILY
Harold will be missed by his loving wife of 21 years, Joy Klineline Brown of Madison; his loving sons, Rick D. Thomas of Windermere, Florida, David A. Thomas and his wife, Amy of Versailles; his loving daughter, Sandra L. Zaccagnini and her husband, Phil of Orlando, Florida; his stepdaughters, Vickey Grace and her husband, Tom of West Port, Kentucky, Janie Werner and her companion, Steve of Milan; his stepsons, John Werner of Madison, Indiana, Mike Werner of Vero Beach, Florida; his grandchildren, Aundrea Brown (Zachary), Paige Thomas, Claire Houck (Ryan), Chase Thomas, Austin Bradley, Jeffery Cunningham (Jacquelyn), and Brett Cunningham (Jill); his step grandchildren, Erin Grace (Jonny) and TJ Grace (Meredith); his great grandchildren, Adelyn, Kolton, Harper, Charlotte and Jackson; his step great grandchildren, Anna and Colton; his sister, Doris Droege of Olean; his sister-in-law, Barbara Long of West Port, Kentucky; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest William Fredrick Thomas, died May 1, 1995, his mother, Edna Klusman Thomas, died March 21, 1988, and his wife of 28 years, Betty Juanita Linkmeyer Thomas, died March 26, 1998.
FUNERAL CEREMONY
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., by Pastor Vicki Garber at the Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1429 Clifty Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Olean.
VISITATION
Friends may visit Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1429 Clifty Drive in Madison.
MILITARY HONORS
Military honors will be conducted at the graveside by the Leore Weare -Versailles American Legion Post No. 173.
MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery at Olean. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre’s of Madison and Hanover. Online condolences, www.morgan-nay.com
