George Andrew "Andy" Tomlin

Father, husband, and Papaw George “Andy” Tomlin passed away surrounded by his wife and sons at the age of 57 on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. His three-year battle with cancer proved his tenacious character and relentless will in facing the challenges of life. Andy was born on January 18, 1964 to the late George and Dawnetta (Dunham) Tomlin, where he learned to work at an early age, between helping with chores around the property and collecting eggs at a nearby hen house. That work ethic never ceased. Shortly after graduating from Madison-Grant High School in 1982, where he played varsity football for four straight years, he moved down with some extended family to work on a barge along the Ohio River. Upon returning home, he worked with his brother and uncle performing residential masonry. He fell in love with the construction industry and spent the rest of his working years in commercial façade installation, with twelve years in Carpenters Local 232 and eight years in Glaziers Local 1165 DC91. The Tomlin Homestead is a tribute to his capabilities, where he installed all the brick, a full-length porch, a barn, and virtually every improvement to the property. A contractor or technician was a rare sight with his do-it-yourself attitude. He met the love of his life, Daphne (Hasty) Tomlin through a mutual acquaintance, and they were married in April of 1986. His family was his sole focus, and he gave his all in provision, upbringing, school, sports interests, and, eventually, his grandkids. Upon retiring from Glaziers Local 1165 in 2019 due to health complications, he and Daphne spent at least one workday a week with their two granddaughters, Delaney and Hannah. Those two became the light of his life instantly, and they were inseparable. Andy would never let a family member leave without first telling them, “I love you”. Never one to be idle, Andy’s hobbies were many. He loved working on the property, fishing and planting a luscious annual vegetable garden, but above all else, he loved to help others. Chances are, if you had a problem, he was there to come up with a solution and help you “Git-R-Done.” If you needed help on a project, you may as well stand back, because he already had it done. If you had broken something and couldn’t bear to replace it, he’d be sure to have a plan to “Jerry (jury)-rig” it for you. No matter your connection to Andy, his sweet corn, salsa, or jams graced your tables because you just had to try it. Andy is survived by his wife of almost 35 years, Daphne; sons Jeremiah (Kelsie) and Ryan (Kylie) Tomlin; granddaughters Delaney and Hannah; siblings Steve (Joan) and Randy (Pat) Tomlin and Cindy (Steve) Kem; along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Besides his parents, he was preceded in passing by his brother, John Tomlin. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021 at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home, 120 West Mill St., Ossian with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana. Memorials may be made to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or Friends Who Care Cancer Relief Foundation, Bluffton.