Elba Thomas

Elba Rose Thomas passed away at 6:40 PM Sat. Dec. 25, 2010 at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Facility following a long illness. She had resided with her daughter for the last 8 years. Born November 11, 1924 in Neosho, Missouri to the late Richard and Elizabeth (Lawson) Garver and was raised by her Grandmother, Mary (Clementine) Uncapher in Van Wert, Ohio. She graduated from Van Wert High School in 1943 and married James Eugene Thomas on August 16, 1945. He died July 1, 1987. She is survived by her children: one son, David J. (Joy) Thomas of Van Wert, Ohio and one daughter, Barbara "Bobbie" (Mark Bohnlein) Sterrett of Van Wert, Ohio. Three Grandchildren, Rebecca "Beckie" Wiessner of Athens, Georgia, Sheena (Fiancee': Steve Wenzel) Thomas of Toledo, Ohio and Kyle (Fiancee': Cindy O'Neill) Aulby of Secor, Illinois. One Great Grandson, Lain Campbell. Also survived by: one sister, Mary (Earl) Branfield of Arkansas and one brother, Richard "Dick" (Betty) Garver of Bryan, Ohio. In addition to her grandparents, parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Veda (Garver) Bayliss and her son-in-law, John D. Sterrett. From 1943-1953 she worked at Ohio Power Company, 1960-1987 she worked at Harvey Equipment in Van Wert, Ohio, 1989-1994 at Wal-Mart and Van Wert Times Bulletin from 1994-1999. Graveside services will be held at Ridge Cemetery, Middle Point, Ohio at a later date. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made to the family. Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.