Paul Ellis Thomas, Sr.

Paul Ellis Thomas, Sr., 97, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2024, at Ascension Living Sacred Heart Village following a brief illness.  He was born in St. Joe, Indiana on February 9, 1927 to Carl and Irma Thomas.

He graduated from Kendallville High School in Kendallville, Indiana in May of 1945.  Paul worked as a dairy farmer and as a factory worker at Riecke, G.E., International Harvester, and Bostwick Braun. 

Paul was a member of the Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren and a former deacon.  Paul enjoyed being with his family, playing his clarinet, gardening, traveling, and bowling.

He married Mary Pauline (Polly) Thomas on March 16, 1952.  They were married 65 years and lived on the family farm in Fairfield Township. 

Paul and Mary Pauline had two children, Rev. Dr. Paul E. Thomas, Jr. and his wife Rev. Dr. Cheryl (Knarr) Thomas, and Deborah Sue Smith and her husband, Gary Alan Smith; five grandchildren, Evelyn (Bryan) Salazar, Adrianne (George) Baacke, Bryan (Aimee) Thomas, Nicholas (Vivian Nguyen) Smith, and Amanda (Devin) Fink; five great-grandchildren, Morgan Elam, Kian Thomas Baacke, Elias Paul Baacke,  Samuel Jacob Fink, and Caleb Alan Fink.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Irma Thomas, his wife, Mary Pauline (Polly) Thomas, and former daughter-in-law, Marlene (Skelly) Thomas.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 875 South Wayne Street in Waterloo.  Additional visitation will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 one hour prior to the funeral service from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the at the Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren, 1993 CR. 8 in Ashley, Indiana with the Rev. Valarie Kline officiating. 

Burial will take place at the Fairfield Cemetery in Fairfield Center following the service.

Memorials may be directed to the Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fellerandclark.com and on our Facebook page at Feller and Clark Funeral Home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Waterloo.