Leon E. Thomas Sr.
November 26, 1938 - April 8, 2019
KNOX-Leon E. Thomas Sr., 80, passed away Monday, April 8, 2019 at Porter Regional Hospital, Valparaiso, IN. Leon was born November 26, 1938 in LaPorte, IN to Ora and Edna Mae (Shinabarger) Thomas and lived in the area all of his life. On October 16, 1986 in Hamlet, IN, he was married to Marianna Shingledecker, who preceded him in death in 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Daniel; step-son, Evan Fain; granddaughter, Stephanie Thomas; great-grandson, Zachary Bielinski; one brother; and one sister. Survivors include one son, Leon (Tieesha) Thomas Jr. of South Bend; three daughters, Elizabeth Beauchamp of Knox, Debra (Ed) Cunningham of Knox and Ritta (Tim) Brettin of Sherrills Ford, NC; five step-children, Rick (Cheryl) Fain of Missouri, Ron (Karen) Van Dusen of Plymouth, Chuck (Cassandra Avery) Green of Hamlet, Bruce Hubbard of Knox and Misty Goetz of Valparaiso; 29 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren. Leon was retired from Bethlehem Steel at Burns Harbor. He was a member of the Power of the Past Tractor Club of Valparaiso and a former member of the Valparaiso Moose Lodge. Funeral services will be Friday, April 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. CDT at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel. Burial will follow at the Fletcher Cemetery, Hamlet. Visitation will be Friday at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CDT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Rannells Funeral Home.
KNOX-Leon E. Thomas Sr., 80, passed away Monday, April 8, 2019 at Porter Regional Hospital, Valparaiso, IN. Leon was born November 26, 1938 in LaPorte, IN to Ora and Edna Mae (Shinabarger) Thomas and lived in the area all of his life. On October... View Obituary & Service Information