Gene H. Thomas (2020)

BONIFAS, BRASHEAR, ERB, FUHRMAN, GARSIDE, HANDLEY, HEINBUCH, LYNN, MAHER, STODDARD, THOMAS, TRACY, WILMETH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:02:56

Powers Funeral Home
Creston, Iowa

Gene Thomas, 96, of Orient, died Friday, August 14, 2020 at the EveryStep Hospice Home in Creston.

Celebration of Life Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at the Powers Funeral Home 601 New York Avenue in Creston. Pastor Rick Titus, Pastor Phil Price and Pastor Kathy Nutting will officiate.

Social Distancing will be observed. Masks are not mandatory, but recommended.

This Service will be Live Streamed on the Powers Funeral Home Facebook Page.

Burial will be at Hill of Zion Cemetery, east of Orient Wednesday at 4:30 p.m..

Open visitation with family receiving friends 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.

Memorials can be given to the EveryStep Hospice Home in Creston and the Hill of Zion Cemetery Tree Program.

Online condolences can be given at powersfh.com.

Gene Thomas, son of Vern Thomas and Goldie (Handley) Thomas, was born on July 28, 1924 in rural Madison County, Iowa. He was educated in Madison County Country schools and graduated from Orient High School in 1943. He went on to work in a war factory in Des Moines.

On October 7, 1945, Gene married Mary Susan Lynn at the Hill of Zion Church in Zion, Iowa. They first lived and worked in the Zion area, moving for a few years north of Greenfield. They returned to the Zion area, where they have farmed together most of their life. Mary Susan died in 2014. Gene routinely attended most of the Orient - Macksburg School sporting events being recognized with a plaque as “Fan of the Year.” Gene also attended many of the Southwestern Community College Sporting events. He enjoyed another routine with friends of breakfast at S & K Café in Creston and lunch at Kramer’s Café in Orient. Gene often joined Cindy and Dan Woods in family gatherings and playing with their daycare kids. He considered them as his second family. A recent parade in Orient, in his honor, celebrated his 96 Birthday with many of his family and friends.

Gene served as Union Township Trustee for 55 years, worked much of his life assisting with the voting/polling tasks at election times and helped supervise the Hill of Zion Cemetery work.

Gene was currently attending the St. John’s United Church of Christ in Creston, the Orient Plymouth Congregation Church and the Orient United Methodist Church. He was originally very involved with the Hill of Zion Church before it closed.

Gene is survived by two daughters, Lynn (Gary) Heinbuch of Fontanelle and Kay (Craig) Tracy of Bellevue, Ia; five grandchildren Jennifer (Chad) Garside, Kim (Joe) Fuhrman, Mathew (Marcine) Tracy, Michael (Sarah) Tracy, Allysen (Peter) Bonifas;

thirteen great-grandchildren, Katelyn (Maxwell) Brashear, Maura, Nolan, Ella, Lilliana, Elena and Liam Tracy; Hannah, Madelyn and Colin Tracy; Cal, Trace and Bryce Bonifas; two great-great-grandchildren, Savannah and Bowen Brashear, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years Mary Susan, his twin sister Imogene Wilmeth and husband Orlo, sisters Annadell Erb and husband Guy and Roberta Stoddard and husband Lee, along with brothers and sister-in-laws Bernie & Helen Maher, Leonard & Margaret Lynn, Irvin & Marjorie Lynn.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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