Wayne E. Thomas

Wayne E. Thomas, age 69 of Madison, passed away July 19, 2013 at his residence. Born January 22, 1944 in Madison, IN he was the son of William Ling “Bud” Jr. and Edith M. (Ringwald) Thomas. who preceded him in death. Mr. Thomas graduated from Pope John High School in 1962; he then attended Purdue University for two years. He was retired from the US Postal Service where he served as postmaster at Paris Crossing and Dupont and was the officer in charge at Hanover and Deputy. Wayne also retired from River Valley Financial Bank. He was the president of Holy Name Society of St. Anthony’s Church and the China Cemetery Association. He was a member of the Indiana Postmaster Association and a former member of the Moose Lodge. He was a fan of the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Browns and Notre Dame. Wayne enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening which he shared with his friends and spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. He loved taking his grandchildren to the creek to play. He was a U.S. Army Reserve veteran of the Vietnam War. Survivors include his wife Karen S. (Goins) Thomas whom he married on October 11, 1969; one daughter, Marlana L. Schafer and her husband, Jason of Madison; three sons, Shane L. Thomas of Madison, Darrin M. Thomas and his wife, Michelle of Anderson, IN and William “Bill” M. Thomas and his wife, Ann Marie of Carmel, IN; four grandchildren, Mya Thomas, Andrew Thomas, Trenton Schafer and Lauren Schafer; one sister, Janet F. Darnold of Madison; his step-mother, June Thomas of Madison and several nieces and nephews. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00am Saturday, July 27, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Chapel in Madison with Father Christopher Craig officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 8pm Friday at the Vail Funeral Chapel, 117 Holt Drive and from 10:00am until 10:45am Saturday at the funeral home. A Rosary service will be held at 7:30pm Friday at the Vail Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow services in St. Anthony’s Cemetery in China. Full Military Honors will be conducted at the Cemetery by the Jefferson Post #9 Honor Guard of the American Legion. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or King’s Daughters’ Health and Hospice memorial cards are available at the funeral home. The family encourages all friends and family to leave their favorite memory, light a candle or share a photo at the funeral home website at www.VailFuneralChapel.com.