Thomas Ancestors - Generation 9 - Ralph Thomas

Ralph William Thomas was born 28 June 1903 in Bendon, Benzie County, Michigan, and died 29 November 1941 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan.

Ralph was the son of William G. Thomas and Jeanette 'Nettie' Durren.

Ralph married Frances Kibler 05 August 1925 in Berrien County, Michigan, daughter of Robert Kibler and Marie Schreiber. She was born 30 July 1907 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, and died 04 June 1987 in Berrien County, Michigan.

After Ralph's death, Frances married Frank Dykas. I have not been able to find any information about when they were married.

Ralph and Frances Thomas had one child, Joyce Ann Thomas, born 15 October 1927, died 08 November 2024. 

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Ralph Thomas died 29 November 1941 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan.

 He is buried in Watervliet Cemetery, Watervliet, Berrien County, Michigan.

Frances Kibler Thomas Dykas died 04 June 1987 in Coloma, Berrien County, Michigan.

She is buried with her husband in Saint Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Watervliet, Berrien County, Michigan

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Joyce Thomas died just a few months ago in November 2024 (I just found out).

Joyce Thomas Obituary

Joyce Ann Thomas, 97, of Coloma, Michigan passed away Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am Friday, Nov. 22, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet. Burial of ashes will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Watervliet. In lieu of flowers, please give to North Berrien Senior Center or St. Joseph Catholic Church. Those wishing to leave an online message of remembrance may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Joyce was born on October 15, 1927 to Ralph and Frances (Kibler) Thomas. She graduated from Watervliet High School in 1944 and Western Michigan University in 1948 as a teacher in Business Education. She later obtained her Master's Degree from WMU and finished out her teaching career with Coloma Community Schools.

Joyce is survived by a son John (Susan) Thomas of Kalamazoo; five grandchildren, Matthew (Jenny) Thomas and Marya (Adam) Inman both of Traverse City, Ryan (Noreen) Thomas of Kalamazoo, Dr. Lindsay (Kevin) Dodd of Naples Florida, and Alysse Thomas of Vicksburg. Also surviving are six great grandchildren; Ryan's children, Liam and Una Thomas, Lindsay's children, Macy and Brooks James Dodd, and Marya's children, Weller and Jackson Inman, and close relatives Judy (Ed) Messal of Evansville Indiana, Charles (Sharon) Watts of Benton Harbor, and Bonnie (Scott) Kibler-DeJay of South Haven.

She was preceded in death by a son Dr. Jeffrey Thomas in 2002.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kalamazoo Gazette from Nov. 13 to Nov. 14, 2024.