Marion Ritter Thomas, 91, of Petersburg, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Golden Living Center in Petersburg, IN. Marion was born July 10, 1931 in Paragon, IN to Lloyd and Cora Ritter Thomas. Marion served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954, being stationed at Palm Beach Air Force Base in West Palm Beach, FL. He received an honorable discharge in 1954. He married Jeanette M. Tardiff on November 22, 1953.
Marion came to Petersburg in 1966 and worked as a Relief Operator and Utility Shift Operator at Indianapolis Power & Light until being named Shift Supervisor in 1977. He transferred here from Martinsville where he had worked since 1956 as a Turbine Boiler Auxiliary Operator at H.T. Prichard. Marion retired from IP&L on August 1, 1993 after 37 years of faithful service. Marion was a member of the VFW and Moose Lodge. Marion enjoyed walking, visits from his grandchildren, gardening, and travel.
Marion is survived by his daughters, Jean Smith of Petersburg and Mary Thomas of Winslow; grandchildren, Eric (Robin) Smith, Jessica (Aaron) Aldridge, Amy Mitchell, and Ethan (Morgan) Rolens; great grandchildren, Payton Readle, Addy and Kason Aldridge, Bren, Summer, and Daisy Smith, and Jaila Jackson; brother, Glen Thomas of Spencer, IN; and Jerry and Helen Rains and their family.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette; sons, Jerry, Andy, and Philip Thomas; brother, John Thomas; and his companion, Wilma Tuttle.
Services for Marion will take place 11 AM EST on Friday, October 14, at Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg with visitation from 4 – 8 PM on Thursday, October 13, at the funeral home. A Moose Lodge service will take place at 7 PM EST on Thursday evening. Pastor Ron Ficklin will be officiating with burial following at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery and the Petersburg VFW Post will conduct military honors. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers that donations please be made to VFW Post 3587 and may be mailed to 1202 E. Main St. Petersburg, IN 47567. Harris Funeral Home is entrusted with care.
