Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas, age 91, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2022 with his loving family and his wife of 70 years at his side. Richard was the loving husband to June Thomas; beloved father to Nancy (Dan) Simko, Laura (Scott) Allen, and Janet Thomas; second beloved father to the late Sharon (Ken) Smith and their children, and the late Bill (Martha) Burkhert and their children; proud grandfather to Angela Lewis, Traci (Jake) Haelfrisch, Nicole (Dave) Cherep, Larry Allen and Jennifer Allen; great-grandfather to Brittany Workman, Joe Smith, Nicholas Cherep and Payton Cherep; and fond uncle to many. Richard retired from J&L Steel after 30 years of service. After retirement, Richard worked for Hyre Electric in Highland. He was also a valued staff member of the Kuiper and Virgil Huber Funeral Homes for many years. He was a 30 year fireman for the Munster Volunteer Fire Dept, active past member of the Griffith Masonic Lodge #735 and the Orak Shrine of Michigan City. He and June also enjoyed belonging to many square dance clubs. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 5, 2022 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. Private family Burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given toward the Shriners Hospitals for Children of Chicago or Dunes Hospice of Valparaiso. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Thomas family.