Sharon Thomas

Sharon S. Thomas, 78, of Berne and a longtime rural Bluffton resident, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Swiss Village Retirement Community in Berne. She was born August 1, 1941, in South Bend to Thorson Allen and Margarete (Miller) Howe. She was married March 15, 1985, to Merle H. Thomas.
She graduated from Geneva High School in 1960 and retired as an inspector for EPC in Geneva in 1985. She was a past president of the Wells County Extension Homemakers Club and was very involved in the Eastern Star – Cresent Chapter and served as past matron of the Eastern Star. She was also a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem and the Daughters of the Nile, where she was a past officer and queen in 2005.
She is survived by her brother, Frank (Barbara) Howe of Berne; granddaughter, Tamerley Thomas of Craigville; step-brother, Terry Miller of Columbia City; step-sister, Peggy (Ted) Kunkel of Florida; and niece, Laura Jacobson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on December 20, 2002; step-son, Thomas N. Thomas; and step-mother, Raedeen Howe.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the 12 p.m. funeral service on Tuesday, August 4 at Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Officiating will be Pastor Dave Cox. An Eastern Star memorial service will also be part of her funeral service. Burial will be at Stahl Cemetery south of Bluffton, just next to where she and her husband lived for many years.
The safety of the family and all visitors is of the utmost priority. For everyone’s safety, please practice social distancing. Masks are required for the visitation and service at the funeral home. Your cooperation and patience is appreciated.
Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children Hospital.
Arrangements provided by Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Online condolences may be made at www.thomarich.com.