Thomas Henry Theriac

Thomas Henry Theriac, 84, of Evansville, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2009, following a long battle with heart-related illness.

Tom was born in Vincennes, Indiana, on September 7, 1924, to Thomas Errol and Estella Marie Recker Theriac. He was the eldest of seven children. He graduated from Vincennes Lincoln and was often known to say, "You'd better look out for those Alices!" As a young man he played football and was an outstanding baseball and softball player on both school teams and travel teams. He earned an Associate Degree from Vincennes University and attended the University of Illinois. He served during WWII in the Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was proud of being a veteran and supported the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He moved to Evansville with his wife, the late Evelyn Lillian LaBontie Theriac, in 1953. He worked for Morrow, Servel, and then A&H Trucking. He retired as supervisor of data processing from A&H Truck Lines in 1985. He was often referred to as kind, caring, patient and hardworking by both superiors and subordinates.

Tom's legacy to his children, Gene and Mary, was his sense of humor and sincere appreciation of family. Tom had a special fondness for his only daughter-in-law, Linda, whom he treated like a daughter. He enjoyed golfing with friends and family members, especially his son-in-law, Mark, and grandsons, Nate and Craig. He looked so forward to letters from his granddaughter, Amy, and referred to her as "Amy-bird." He always enjoyed his frequent visits with his granddaughter, Monica, who also assisted him with housework. He looked forward to the many baked treats that his granddaughter, Dana, would bring him. He took pleasure in his backyard garden and sharing tomatoes and other vegetables with neighbors. He was a frequent visitor to the neighborhood gathering place, Gene Russell's front porch where many of this world's ills were discussed and solved by Tom, Gene, Paul Schmidt, and Larry Coffman.

Tom was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in the city, where he was a member of the Men's Club and worked Bingo. He was a faithful participant in daily Mass and at Sunday service. He was a supporter of several Catholic charities. He was a member of Eagles Country Club and for years enjoyed Friday night dances with Vince and Vernita Bayer, Ed and Mary Ann Miller, and Len and Billye Bauza.

Tom took great joy in family occasions. He loved playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They enjoyed "Grandpa" taking them to the orchard for apple picking and walks. One of his favorite sayings as the children would depart was, "See you 'round like a donut!" He was a wonderful storyteller and shared many family tales at gatherings. He was known for his quick wit and good sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn LaBontie, and a son, Thomas Lee. Also preceding him in death were his brothers, Errol Gene Theriac, Richard Joseph Theriac and Owen Clinton "Bud" Theriac; and a sister, Carolyn Ann Theriac Williams; and brother-in-law, Harry L. Murray.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Linda Theriac and his daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Mark Hansen. Also surviving are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nate Hansen and his children, Nathan II and Emily, Monica Hansen and her children, Taylor, Nicholas, and Lily, all of Evansville, Amy and Jeffrey Ready of Greenwood, Indiana, and their children, Kaitlyn and Hailey, Dana and Carl Fuhrmann of Indianapolis and their newborn son, Carter, and Craig and Melissa Theriac of San Francisco, California. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Claire Murray; and a brother and sister-in-law, Mitchell and Mary Louise Theriac, all of Evansville; and sisters-in-law, Charlotte Theriac of Vincennes, Indiana, and Joyce Theriac of Henderson, Kentucky; and brother-in-law, Bob Williams of Indianapolis, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Welborn Cardiology Unit, Dr. Karl Sash, the Woodlands Golden Living Center, AseraCare Hospice, and the exceptional sixth floor nursing staff at St. Mary's Hospital.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Gene Schroeder at 10 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church on the corner of Virginia and Garvin Street. Entombment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Evansville.

Pallbearers will be Mitch Theriac, Mark Hansen, Nate Hansen, Craig Theriac, Jeff Ready and Carl Fuhrmann.

Friends may visit with the family at Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Avenue, from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2009, and from 9 a.m. until service time on Friday, March 20, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW or American Legion. Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com