Thomas Lincoln Thayer, 95 of Hope passed away a few days short of
his 96th birthday at Hospice of South Central Indiana on Wednesday Nov. 2, 2011.
Tom was born Nov. 19, 1915, the son of Leonard R. and Sarah Dodd Thayer.
He was one of six children.
He loved sports as a child and grew up to become an elementary and Jr. High
Math teacher after receiving his teaching certificate form Danville Normal College. Tom
taught at St. Louis Crossing , Hope, Clifford and Taylorsville Schools, but most of his
years were spent at Central and Northside Middle Schools.
He also farmed on the side and spent his summers growing produce for
market.
Tom was in the Army Air Corp during W.W. II and after bailing out over
North Africa was written about by Ernie Pyle. Since his sweetheart's picture became
pay for his return to safety, he told Pyle he intended to marry her as sonn as he returned
home and he did marry Mary G. Scott from Shelby County on Sept. 25, 1943.
They had three daughters , Linda (Dennis) Herron of Columbus, Barbara (Ed)
Johnson of Hope and Susan (Don) Fye of Columbus , whom all survive.
Tom had nine grandchildren: Heather (Wally) Miller, Amy Jines, Allison (Darin)
Pruden, Edward Fye, Tony (Trisha) Fye, J.J. Fye, Rick Fye, Garry and Bill Johnson.
There are also ten great-grandchildren: Sean and Sam Miller, Dustin, Devon and
Hannah Pruden and Clay , Gram, Sam and Ben Johnson and Angel Fye.
Tom was a member of the Hope United Methodist Church and the American
Legion. He loved watching Hauser sporting events, pitching horseshoes, fishing, and spending
time with his family.
Mary preceded Tom in death in 2000. He was also preceded by his parents and
brothers Orrin, Richard, and Lynn Thayer .
Surviving along with his children and grandchildren are a sister Mary Alice Cooper
of Indianapolis and a brother David Ray Thayer of Hope and a sister-in-law Betty Thayer of Lebanon.
The funeral will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church with
Rev Marianne Hawkins officiaiting. Calling will be Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be at Hope Moravian Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Hope United Methodist Church or Hospice of South Central Indiana.