Bernard A. Thoma

Bernard (Bernie) A. Thoma

October 13, 1938 – March 29, 2023

Bernard Arthur Thoma was born in 1938 at Mercy Hospital in Monroe, Michigan to Arthur W. Thoma and Louise B. (Hoffman) Thoma. He grew up on the family’s Centennial Farm on Stoney Creek Road where he lived until his peaceful passing on March 29, 2023, while lovingly surrounded by two of his nieces.

Bernie attended Saint Michael’s Parish grade school in Monroe for first and second grade until Stoney Creek Road was paved, making the drive to Saint Patrick’s School easier. He graduated 8th grade from Saint Patrick’s and went on to earn a High School diploma from Airport High School in 1957. 

In 1962, Bernie was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky then Fort Belvoir, Virginia for training before landing a post in Fairbanks, Alaska at Fort Wainwright. While there, he worked as a records specialist in the post library and fell in love with the state he would travel to several more times over the course of his life. Bernie was proud to serve his country and had deep respect for all those who dedicated time to military service before and after him.

He was a proud member of the Corl-Gaynier AMVETS Post 1942 in Monroe, Michigan and volunteered at countless events serving spaghetti, selling poppies and decorating parks for holidays honoring military members. 

After an honorable discharge from the Army, Bernie returned home to the farm and landed a job with La-Z-Boy Chair Company until they closed operations. He later worked at Reckitt Benckiser in South Rockwood until his retirement. He also worked at times as a substitute mail carrier for the U.S. Postal service.

In 1970 Bernie married Dolores Ann Forter. They built a home on a parcel of land adjoining the farm where they lived, together, for over 53 years.

Bernie was a member of the Southeast Michigan Antique Tractor Club. One of his favorite tractor adventures was driving a John Deere tractor across the Mackinac Bridge, something he talked about for years after.

Besides tractors, Bernie enjoyed trains of all kinds. He and Dolores took various train trips to the East Coast and through parts of Michigan, Canada, Alaska and the Yukon. They both enjoyed bus and road trips to see the country and visit family. 

A consummate baseball fan, Bernie took Dolores and other family members to Detroit Tiger and Toledo Mud Hens games and hardly missed a game on the radio or television.

Bernie served as a volunteer with the Frenchtown Township Fire Department, an organization started by his late father, Arthur, and others in 1949. 

He was a member of the Michigan Centennial Farm Association, the Ida Farmers Co-op, and Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church where, over the years, he led the rosary before mass, served as a Eucharistic Minister, usher and volunteer for many parish events.

In his later years, Bernie took great solace in being on the farm doing some occasional deer hunting and watching the landscape change with the seasons.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Dolores Thoma, brother Edward Thoma (Donna) of Roscommon, Mi. and many close nieces and nephews: Dawn Forter, Jan DuVall, Donald Wayne Forter, Paul Thoma, Schawna Thoma, Sheri Montoye, Yvonne Thoma-Patton, Kurt Thoma, Vanessa Johnson, Elizabeth Brokaw as well as many beloved Thoma and Hoffman family members. He was proceeded in death by his niece and goddaughter Deborah (Forter) Brown. 

The Thoma family extends a heartfelt thank you to the professional caregiving team from Right at Home for their compassion and hard work.

Everyone is invited to a visitation on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Rupp Funeral Home from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. A recitation of the rosary will be said on Wednesday starting at 7 pm. Bernie will lie in state at 10 am at Divine Grace Parish of Carleton on Thursday, April 13, 2023, with mass starting at 11 am. Fr. Jim Rafferty will officiate. An honor guard service will conclude services at church after mass under the auspice of the Monroe VFW Post #1138. Burial will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery of Monroe.

Memorial donations in honor of Bernie are suggested to St. Patrick School or to Divine Grace Parish of Carleton.

Online condolences may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com