- Date Of Birth: May 12, 1923
- Date Of Death: February 8, 2013
- State: Indiana
Don Thoma passed away on February 8, at Bell Trace Health & Living Center from complications associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Don was born in Piqua, Ohio on May 12, 1923, to Adolph and Frances Didier Thoma. He was the third of six children. After graduation from Sidney High School he entered the family business, Thoma Jewelers in Sidney. In April of 1953 he purchased Williams Jewelry in Bloomington, Indiana. He was a 4th generation jeweler, and a Registered Jeweler of the American Gem Society. He was very active in the community with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and was a past president of the Kiwanis club.
He participated in United Way fundraising, Bloomington Hospital board and Center for Human Growth board. He was a strong supporter of a healthy Downtown for Bloomington and worked on many projects and committees to ensure its future. After retirement he volunteered for Meals on Wheels and other community services. In addition to his community volunteer service, he lovingly accepted the role of primary caregiver when his wife Doris was afflicted with disabling Parkinson’s Disease. He fulfilled that role admirably for over 20 years.
He is survived by a daughter, Teresa (John) Louis of Colorado, a son, Mark (Jane) Thoma of Bloomington, granddaughter Laura (John) Denk, grandson, David (Arynn) Thoma, step grandchildren, Jeff (Kristen) Smith, and Jamie (Eric) Graebe. Great grandchildren include, Aidan and Sydney Denk, Jayden Smith, and Ethan Graebe.
He is survived by one brother, Richard (Jackie) Thoma of Sidney, OH and sister, Charlotte Cloyd of Dayton, OH. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Doris Thoma, who died in October 2012, two brothers, William and Adolph, two sisters Margaret and Jeannette, and his son, Thomas. The family wishes to acknowledge with appreciation and gratitude the care provided by his Bell Trace family who laughed at his jokes, appreciated his positive attitude, and administered care with competence and compassion. Southern Care Hospice assisted in providing much needed comfort for his last days.
