John Thomas Aug. 18, 1920-Sept. 10, 2011

Published 11:54 pm Monday, September 12, 2011

John M. Thomas, 91, of James Street, Niles, died at 2:13 p.m. Saturday, Sept, 10, 2011 at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles following a brief illness.

John Thomas

He was born Aug. 18, 1920 in Grand Rapids, Mich. to Guy H. and Alice (Elliott) Thomas. He was raised in Kentucky, and moved to Dowagiac, where he graduated from Union High School in 1938. He attended Michigan State College (now Michigan State University), East Lansing on a full scholarship from winning a national writing competition.

John enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944, serving as a second lieutenant in Japan. Upton discharge, he joined the 246th Armor Battalion National Guard, Dowagiac, from which he retired in 1971 as a lieutenant colonel. He remained active in the 246th Armor Association.

After the war, John taught agriculture to his fellow veterans, and in 1955 purchased the Bangor Implement Co., selling farm machinery. In 1964 he began a career with Citizens State Bank (now Chemical Bank), South Haven, retiring in 1981 as a farm loan officer and vice president of trust services.

In retirement, he enjoyed gardening; fishing; fellowship with friends over cool beverages; reading both Westerns and economics; his dog, Charlie; and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In November 1941 in Cass County, he married the former Virginia Caryl Anthony, who preceded him in death in September 1988. On Feb. 14, 1989, he married the former Carol (Petersen) Mansfield, who survives.

Also surviving are his children, John (Nancy) Thomas of Sparta, Mich., Mark (Anne) Thomas of Lawrence, Mich. and Paul Thomas of Kalamazoo; stepchildren, Leo (Glenda) Curtis of Niles, Robalyn “Bobbie” (Joseph) Benak of Buchanan, William (Sue) Mansfield of Niles and Carol Mansfield of Niles; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; John’s sister-in-law, Harriett Thomas of Dowagiac; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Virginia, John was preceded in death by a brother, Guy Thomas, Jr.

Services for John M. Thomas will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles officiating.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

The family will be gathering later, privately, at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Mich. for committal rites and full military honors.

Contributions in memory of John Thomas may be made to the Niles District Library, Susan G. Komen for the Cure or Autism Speaks.