Carl B. Thomas, 97, rural Rockford, died at 4:15 a.m. Sept. 11, 2011, at The Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford.

He was born Aug. 4, 1914, in Venedocia, to Howard and Ruth Boroff Thomas. On Nov. 17, 1938, he married Dorothy M. Armacost, who died Aug. 28, 1970. On May 19, 1973, he married Ella Lee Pryer, who died in September 1981.

Surviving are three sons, John (Kay) Thomas and Greg (Judy) Thomas, all of Rockford, and Jim (Pam) Thomas, Fort Wayne, Ind; three daughters, Kay Graham, Spencerville, Sarah Sue Mescher, Fort Benning, Ga., and Donna (Robert) Stover, Xenia; two stepsons, Tom (Shirley) Pryer, Rockford, and Ned (JoAnn) Pryer, Celina; a brother, Dale (Mary Ann) Thomas, Wapakoneta; a sister, Ruth May Hubbard, Lafayette, Ind.; in-laws, Nancy Thomas, Urbana, and Leona Thomas, Van Wert, and Sue Pryer Bell, Florida; 21 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Deceased are four children, Glen Thomas and three infants, Leonard, Linda and Joe Thomas; four brothers, Glen, John, Ross and Doyt Thomas; a sister, Edith Harner; a stepson, Gary Pryer; three in-laws, Emerson Graham, Thomas Mescher and Dennis Sandman.

He retired in 1974 from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, St. Marys. He was a 1932 graduate of Memorial High School, St. Marys, and a life member of Grand Lake Beagle Club, where he was president for 19 years, and Celina Masonic Lodge 241.

Services are 11 a.m. Friday at W.H. Dick & Sons - Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Chip Steffy officiating. Burial will follow in Mercer Memory Gardens, Celina.

Calling is 9-11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Condolences may be left dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.