Iris Ilene Thomas

Iris Ilene (Munger) Thomas was born in Nevada Mills on July 22, 1924, and passed away at Lakeland Rehab and Healthcare Center on Wednesday, June 24th. She was the daughter of the late Roscoe and Lola (Casebeer) Munger.

She met her soul mate, Francis Anthony Thomas in Nevada Mills. They were married on April 11, 1947. After Francis passed away in 1964 in Flint, Michigan, she moved her family back to Angola to the home she and Francis built together on Fox Lake Road. She was an amazing mother figure and human being who built a life defined by strength of spirit, unconditional love, hard work, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for her family and friends.

Iris leaves behind a profound legacy and will be remembered by her children, Jean (James) Parsell, Norman (Jill) Thomas, Jayne (Joe) Lantz, and Teresa (George) Steward; her grandchildren, James (Matt) Parsell Jr., Adrienne (Josh) Rinard, Jon (Katie) Thomas, Nick Lantz, Jake Lantz, Anthony (Karissa) Steward, and Andrew (Elizabeth) Steward; and great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Ava, and Evelyn Rinard, Madeline and Jaxson Thomas, Dylan and Ryder Parsell, Garrett (Kristen) Lantz and Audra (Alex) Forrester; and great-great-grandchildren, Malcom, Callum, Warren, and Valerie Forrester, and the many nieces and nephews that called her “Grandma Ikey.”

Besides her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Iris is survived by her sister Maxine (Frank) Pardon.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Francis Anthony Thomas, and siblings, Rozena Ewers, Pat Munger, Lynn Munger and Winifred Bassett.

Iris was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a lifelong member of the Nevada Mills Community Church.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and staff at Lakeland Rehab and Healthcare Center for their compassionate care, comfort and support during Iris’s stay.

The celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, June 30 at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, from 4-6 pm and at the service at the Nevada Mills Community Church 4710 W. Bachelor Rd. Angola, Wednesday, July 1, at 11 am. Burial at Circle Hill Cemetery will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Nevada Mills Community Church.

Condolences may be sent online for the family at www.beamsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are being handled by Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana. 260-495-2915