Jean (Goodwin) Piper Thomas, age 94, formerly of Celina, died July 9, 2023, 4:45 p.m. at Kessler Estates, Lima, Ohio.

She was born July 1, 1929, in Lima, Ohio. She married Meredith Piper on April 2, 1948. Meredith passed away March 17, 2005. Jean married James Thomas on October 27, 2007. James passed away January 17, 2017.

Surviving are a daughter, Pamela (Fred) Fisher, Perrysburg, OH, and 2 sons, Timothy (Corinne) Piper, Elida, OH, Jeffrey Piper, New Bremen, OH, son-in-law, Gary Risner, Piqua, Ohio and step-children, James (Lura) Thomas, Robert (Missy) Thomas, and David (Donna). Other survivors include 7 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Jean was valedictorian of Mendon Union High School in 1947. She was a 4-H advisor of Neptune Loyal Workers 4-H, Neptune, OH. Jean had worked as a caseworker at the Mercer County Welfare Department. She then became a teller at Citizens Commercial Bank and Trust Co and progressed to one of the first woman officers in the bank. She moved the bank into the computer age by learning Lotus 123 and transitioning payroll to the computer. She retired from Citizens Commercial Bank and Trust after 25 years of employment. Together Jean and Meredith built Mendale Guernsey Farms, which was a dairy operation outside Celina with a world record winner in milk production in 1957. She was also a 50-year breast cancer survivor. Jean was a 75-year member of The Order of Eastern Star (OES), Celina Chapter #91. She was Worthy Matron of both Mendon Chapter OES and Celina Chapter OES, chapter organist, and a past president of the 9th District Order of the Eastern Star. Jean was a member of several churches through the years. At West Old Town EUB, she was organist and Sunday School Teacher. She then became a member of Grand Lake UMC, Convoy UMC, and moved her membership to St. Paul's UMC in Elida after moving to Lima.
  Jean was preceded in death by daughter, Christina Risner, daughter-in-law, Lorna Piper, and grandson, Nicholas Piper.
  Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina. An Order of the Eastern Star memorial service will be held following visiting hours on Thursday.
  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 14, 2023, at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina with Rev. Paul Scannell officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Following the service at the funeral home a luncheon will be shared at Grand Lake United Methodist Church. Private graveside service will be held at a German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen.

Memorial contributions may be given to Elida St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 105 E. Main St., Elida, Ohio 45807 or Cancer Association of Mercer County, 218 S. Main St., Celina, Ohio 45822.