John Milton Thomas

John Milton Thomas, 88, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Franciscan St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born October 1, 1926, in Fairland, the son of Milton and Carris (Sutherland) Thomas. On December 24, 1946, he married his wife of 68 years Mary “Jean” Kerr, and she survives. John is also survived by his daughters, Marsha Oakley and husband, William of Baltimore, Maryland, Melinda Hatchett of Avon, Melanie Thomas of Shelbyville and Michelle Karmire and husband, Jason, of Boggstown; son, J. Mark Thomas and wife, Karen, of Seymour; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Dr. Rebecca T. Markel. John graduated from Fairland High School, and attended Purdue University for two years. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II as First Sergeant. John recently went to Washington D.C. on an honor flight, returning on September 5th. John retired from National City Bank, after retirement he sold real estate for Carpenter Realty. He formerly served as the Shelby County Clerk and on the Shelby County Council. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, where he held many leadership positions. John was also a member and past president of Morristown Lions Club, Optimist Club and the Boys Club. His other membership included Indiana National Guard and Sugar Creek Masonic Lodge No. 279 F & AM. John was formerly a past president and executive director of the Morristown Chamber of Commerce and was the oldest driver in the Adult Soapbox Derby. He was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Morristown Chamber and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. John officiated high school and college basketball for over 30 years. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, for officiating a ballgame with nine overtimes, a record which he still holds. Visitation will be from at 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2015 Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville and from at 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2015 at First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Rev. Robert Campbell officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville, with military graveside rites conducted by the local military committee. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or Shelby Senior Services, 1504 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.