John E. Thomas

John E. Thomas, 74, of Goshen, died early Wednesday afternoon, July 15, 2009, at his home. He was born in Goshen on August 27, 1934, to William “Harley” and Mina W. (Showalter) Thomas.  He married Janice Karen Rohrer on June 21, 1953 in Ligonier.  She preceded him in death on October 1, 2004. A lifetime area resident, Mr. Thomas had worked for Schrock Plaster Company, County Line, Gehring Industries and as a carpenter before retiring from American Cargo in 2004. A 1952 graduate of Millersburg High School, Mr. Thomas was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Fish Lake where he was baptized on July 26, 1936, and had served on the church council.  He was an avid sports fan, always reading the sports section of the newspaper first to see how his baseball team, the LA Dodgers were doing.  In the off season of baseball he supported Fairfield and Westview High School sports.  He enjoyed fishing, playing euchre and his family. He is survived by two daughters, Mary (Terry) Sauer of Goshen and Marla (David) Snider of New Paris; a son, William J. Thomas of Goshen; and a sister, Geneva B. Churchill of Elkhart. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, July 17, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. A 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 2009, funeral service will be conducted at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Rev. Bert Pauluhn of St. John’s Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in Elkhart Prairie Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Goshen Care at Home Hospice.