Raymond N. Thomas, 85, of Boulder Junction, Wis., passed away Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, at Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington (Wis.)
Raymond was born July 28, 1927, in Ontario to the late Fred and Frances (nee Stoikes) Thomas. He spent his early life and received his education in Ontario. Raymond proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II and was stationed in Guam.
On Dec. 13, 1947, in Waukon, Iowa, Raymond was united in marriage to Eva A. Downing. Together they resided in Ontario until moving to Burlington in 1957. Eva preceded Raymond in death July 6, 2012.
Raymond owned and operated Thomas Bus Service. He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Burlington and St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Boulder Junction. Raymond enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved football and baseball, especially the Brewers and Packers. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
Survivors include his loving children, Daniel (Jane) Thomas of West Plains, Mo., Kathy (Don) Czerniak of Plover, Wis., Michael (Nancy) Thomas of Burlington, James (Lori) Thomas of Burlington, Bruce (Kathy) Thomas of Burlington and Cheryl (Brad) Baker of Lyons, Wis.; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lorraine Calhoun.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brothers, Mike (Edith), Harold (Myrtle), Donald (Mary) and Stanley Thomas; his sister, Evelyn (Donald) Lydon; and his brother-in-law, Wayne Calhoun.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at St. Charles Catholic Church, with Rev. Steve Amann officiating. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at the church on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials have been suggested to the family for Masses said in Raymond’s name.