Funeral services for Richard F. Thomas, 85, was held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Methodist Church in Coldwater, Kans. Mr. Thomas died Wednesday evening, May 31, in the Comanche County hospital.Rev. Dean Dryden had charge of the service. Mrs. Ross Beeley, soloist, sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder." She was accompanied by Miss Judy Ellis, organist.
Pallbearers were Frank Meyers, Ralph Deewall, Harold Ellis, Roy Kerstetter, Ralph Hoofer and Richard Bird. Honorary pallbearers were Clyde Blount, Asa Hoofer, Fred Robbins, Chet Hiner, Ira Burditt and Art Sanders.
Interment was in the Protection cemetery, Protection, Kansas.
Obituary Richard Franklin Thomas, youngest son of John and Sarilda Jane Thomas died on Wednesday evening, May 31st, 1961, at the Comanche County hospital after a short illness. He was 85 years of age. He was born at Evansville, Indiana on May 26, 1876.
He was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Root on August 21, 1897, at Chillicothe, Mo. To this union were born ten children, six of whom are still living. Those preceding him in death were Richard Lee 1905, Oma Sarilda 1917, Florence Elizabeth 1950, Vera Vivian 1951, and his wife Mary Elizabeth in 1956.
In 1899 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas left Missouri and came to Wichita, Kans. From Wichita they moved to a farm near Offerle, Kans., where the seven younger children were born. In 1925 the family moved to a farm about midway between Protection and Coldwater. In 1945 he and his wife retired and moved to Coldwater. Since the death of his wife he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Clyde Blackard when not visiting with his other children. He was a member of the Baptist Church of Hale, Mo. but had attended the Methodist Church in Coldwater. He was also a member of the old Woodman Lodge and the I. O. O. F. of Offerle, Kans.
Survivors include six children: Ruel Victor of Mountain View, Calif., Cecil Roger of Wichita, Kans., Mrs. Viola Butler of Bellwood, Ill., Mrs. Thelma Blackard of Coldwater, Kans., Harley Arlo of Phoenix, Ariz., and Forrest Glenn of Wheatfield, Ind.; 32 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
The Western Star, June 8, 1961. Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 3, 1961, at 2:00 p.m. in the Coldwater Methodist church for Richard Franklin Thomas.
R. F. Thomas Dies In Local Hospital
Rev. Dean Dryden was in charge of the service. Miss Judith Ann Ellis was the organist and accompanied Mrs. Ross Beeley as she sang "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" and "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder."
Pallbearers were Frank Meyers, Harold Ellis, Ralph Deewall, Ralph Hoofer, Roy Kerstetter and Richard Bird. Honorary pallbearers were Clyde Blount, Asa Hoofer, Fred Robbins, Chet Hiner, Ira Burditt and Art Sanders.
Interment was in the Protection Cemetery, Protection, Kans.
Obituary Richard Franklin Thomas, youngest son of John and Sarilda Jane Thomas, died on Wednesday evening, may 31, 1961, at the Comanche County Hospital after a short illness. He was 85 years of age. He was born at Evansville, Ind., on May 26, 1876.
He was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Root on August 21, 1897, at Chillicothe, Mo. To this union were born ten children, six of whom are still living. Those preceding him in death were Richard Lee, 1905; Oma Sarilda, 1917; Florence Elizabeth, 1950, Vera Vivian, 1954, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth in 1956.
In 1899 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas left Missouri and came to Wichita. From Wichita they moved to a farm near Offerle, Kans., where the seven younger children were born. In 1925 the family moved to a farm about midway between Protection and Coldwater. In 1954 he and his wife retired and moved to Coldwater. Since the death of his wife he has made his home with hs daughter, Mrs. Clyde Blackard, when not visiting with his other children. He was a member of the Baptist church of Hale, Mo., but had attended the Methodist church in Coldwater. He was also a member of the old Woodman Lodge and the I. O. O. F. of Offerle, Kans.
Survivors include six children: Ruel Victor of Mountain View, Calif., Cecil Roger of Wichita, Kans.; Mrs. Viola Butler of Bellwood, Ill.; Mrs. Thelma Blackard of Coldwater; Harley Arlo of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Forrest Glenn of Wheatfield Ind.; 32 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
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The Western Star, September 5, 1947. Thomases Celebrate Golden Wedding
Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Thomas, Coldwater, Married 50 years
At left: Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Thomas.A reception in honor of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Thomas of Coldwater was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Blackard Thursday, August 21.
The dining table was covered with a gold damask cloth and was centered with gold pompom chrysanthemums. A beautiful three tiered wedding cake topped with an orchid and a gold pin completed the setting. The cake was served with ice cream and ice tea. The honored couple received many beautiful gifts.
The out-of-town guests were: Mrs. Alberta James and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Thomas and son, John Thomas, of Wichita; Mrs. Iona E. Brown, W. H. Ritter and Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Dorsey and son of Sitka, Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Ray and children of Kansas City, Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Thomas and children of Chicago and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dorsey and son of Englewood.
Other children and their families from this county who were present were Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Blackard and daughters of Coldwater and Mr. and Mrs. Harley Thomas and children of Protection.
Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Thomas were united in marriage in Chillicothe, Mo., August 21, 1897. In 1900 they moved to Wichita and for 16 years they made their home in Ford county, Kansas. In 1925 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and their children moved to Comanche county, settling on a farm which they had purchased. In 1945 they moved from their farm seven miles southwest of Coldwater and have continued to make their home in this city in the former J. L. Stanley residence which they purchased.
Of their ten children, eight are living and five of them were able to be present at the golden wedding anniversary.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are among the county's highly respected citizens and both are still in excellent health. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are 71 years of age. They have been successful in their farming and other interests and are now enjoying living in town and observing their many grandchildren grow up.
