Kenneth Thomas

Kenneth C. Thomas, 85, of Cross Plains passed away at 8:40 p.m., Monday, August 31, 2026, one day away from of his 86th birthday. He was born on Bear Creek near Pleasant in Switzerland County on September 1, 1940, the son of Carl and Frieda Klusman Thomas. He was married to Sharen Boyles on July 7, 1962 and his wife of 64 years survives. Other survivors include three sons Mark (Kim) Thomas and Gary (Pam) Thomas both of Cross Plains and Dale (Jackie) Thomas of Fishers; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; one brother Arthur (Debbie) Thomas of Cross Plains. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Thomas attended school at Dewberry and was a 1959 graduate of Cross Plains High School. He served with the USAF Reserves and was stationed in Texas during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Kenny was a well known and lifelong farmer in his community and he and Sharen had formerly been named Conservation Farmers of the Year. He enjoyed following the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, deer hunting, and following his grandkid’s sporting events. He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Olean where he served on the church council, a former member of the Friendship Fire Department, and a former board director for the Southeast Indiana Feeder Auction. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 4 at 11 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Olean with Rev. Dr. Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorials may be given to the Friendship Fire Department in care of the funeral home.