Obituary of Gary Neil Thoma

Gary Neil Thoma was born on March 21, 1939, in Monroe, Michigan. He was one of five children born from the union of Joseph Wilfred Thoma and Evelyn Ruth (LaFountain) Thoma. He attended and graduated from Catholic Central High School in Monroe.

Gary married the love of his life, Beverly Anne Kerr, on February 11, 1961, in Bowling Green, Ohio. The couple were blessed with the birth of four children. To provide for his family in the early years of their marriage, Gary was employed as a store manager by the F.W. Woolworth Company. He was moved from one store to the next in order to make each a success. Tired of moving his family from place to place, he returned to Monroe where he began working at Ford Motor Company. He worked his way up the ladder and retired from Ford in Dearborn, MI as a Fabrications Engineer.

Gary was known for being handy and creative. He could “MacGyver” just about any repair with nothing more than a hammer and a screwdriver. He did beautiful stained glass work, making priceless keepsakes for many family and friends. Gary enjoyed making new friends and belonged to various clubs in town; including Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge, and the V.F.W. He loved boating, fishing, and water sports; hobbies that he passed on to his family. Every summer Gary and Beverly would rent a cottage on the lake for the whole family to come together and enjoy the water.

Gary Neil Thoma, age 83, of Monroe passed away peacefully at 10:50pm on Friday, November 11, 2022, while surrounded by his loving family and under the care of ProMedica Hospice. His passing was preceded by his parents; a brother: Douglas Thoma; and two sons: Gregory Thoma and Jeffery Thoma.

To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife of sixty-one years: Beverly; two children: Kimberly A. Thoma and Julie M. Selvidge; three sisters: Brenda Wisniewski, Prudence (James) Harvell, and Pamela Thoma; five grandchildren: Mackenzie Micho, Meredith (Jonathan) Friesen, Millicent Micho, Amanda Selvidge, and Gregory Selvidge; and one great-grandson: Maddox Friesen.

Friends may gather on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm and on Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 11:00am until the time of a Celebration of His life at 12:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service; South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe,
Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. Deacon Mike Stewart will officiate. Cremation will follow through Covenant Cremation of Erie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations that the family will then distribute to their favorite charities. Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com to leave words of inspiration and comfort or to share a photo.