NEW LISBON- John A. Thomas, 81, of New Lisbon, Indiana, passed away on Monday morning, September 10, 2012 at the Waters of New Castle following an extended illness. John was born April 5, 1931 in Burkesville, Kentucky, the son of the late Basil and Nanny (Davis) Thomas. John served his country in the United States Army with the rank of corporal during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He retired from Luellen Brothers Grain Elevator in New Lisbon in 1996 after over thirty years of work with friends and customers that he loved dearly. He was a baptized believer and attended Memorial Baptist Church in New Castle, until do to failing health, he was no longer able. John enjoyed watching sports, farming, yard work and spending time with his family. John is survived by his loving wife of sixty one years, Colleen (Surratt) and their children, Johnnie (wife: Patricia) of rural New Castle and Don (wife Robin) of New Lisbon; three grandchildren, Mariangella (husband Matt) Glaze of Muncie, Jeremy Thomas of Nashville, Tennessee, Nathan Gniffke of Joplin, Missouri; Great-grandsons Andrew, Adam and Alex Glaze, three sisters, Ava Applebee, Evelyn Orton and Nancy Murphy all of Cumberland county, Kentucky, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Ronnie Lee on August 3, 2003. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Lewisville Chapel. Pastor Tobby Smith of the Memorial Baptist Church will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in New Lisbon Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 PM to 8 PM Wednesday, September 12 at the funeral home in Lewisville.