Deletha “Dee” Johnston Thomas

Deletha "Dee" Johnston Thomas received her wings on July 12, 2015 in Tipton, Indiana. Deletha was born on September 13, 1938 in Vici, Oklahoma to Loyd and Essie (Olds) Johnston. She grew up on a ranch near Vici, and attended Vici High School. There she played softball, and was a basketball star. After high school Deletha moved to Oklahoma City to attend business school. She met Earl Thomas, were married on December 22, 1957, and moved to Indiana. They lived in Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Tipton County. They were blessed with four children, six grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

In 2002, Deletha retired from the Tipton School Corporation after 28 years. She then worked at the Tipton Community Library for 7 years, retiring in May 2015. She was a member of the Tipton County Hospital Auxiliary for several years.

Known also as Dee, she had a smile for all and made friends wherever she went. Dee was a member of the Goldsmith United Methodist church, active in the United Methodist Women and prior District officer. She was an active member of the Lions Club International of Tipton, holding several officer positions. Dee was named a Lions Melvin Jones Fellow for 1995-1996, and received the Lions International Presidential Commendation in 2008-2009.

Dee was also a member of the Indiana Association of Educational Office Professionals (IAEOP), serving as a state officer for several years and was recognized as the Office Professional of the Year in 1999.

In her early years Deletha coached in the women’s softball league in Highland Park in Kokomo. She participated on bowling leagues, was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, and a 4-H leader in Kokomo and Tipton. She enjoyed traveling across the United States and abroad.

Deletha was preceded to heaven by her parents Loyd and Essie Johnston, her son Eric Thomas, her brothers Milo Johnston, Jimmie Johnston, Ernest Johnston, and Dale Johnston, and her sister Deloris Johnston Hedges.

She is survived by her husband Earl Thomas; her three daughters Debra Thomas Barker and husband Cary, Indianapolis, Diane Thomas Speer and husband Doug, Tipton, and Deletha Thomas Boyd and husband Michael, Chandler, Arizona; her Danish exchange daughter Mia Hansen Andersen; six grandchildren Charles Sullivan IV, Erinn Sullivan, Rachel Speer, Ryan Speer, Samantha Boyd, and Andrew Boyd; one great-granddaughter Athena Gendren; her brother Melvin Johnston and his wife Eileen, Fargo, Oklahoma; three sisters-in-law, Carolyn Johnston, Nova Wroten, and B.J. Thomas Watson; one brother-in-law, Clyde Thomas and wife Jacque, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services for Dee will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Revs. Evan Strong and David Duke presiding. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. A Lions Club Service will be held on Saturday prior to the start of the funeral.

Memorial contributions can be made to Indiana Lions Cancer Control and mailed to the Tipton Lions Club, 1003 N. East Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.