MICHAEL "MIKE" THOMPSON

MICHAEL "MIKE" THOMPSON, 76, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, in Indianapolis. Born Feb. 13, 1941, in Fort Wayne, he was a son of the late Paul and Lucille Albertine Thompson. He attended Saint Patrick's grade school, was a member of the 1959 class of Central Catholic High School, graduated in 1963 from Marian College, and earned a Master's in Education from University of Saint Francis in 1972. He was a member of Saint Patrick's and Saint John the Baptist parishes in Fort Wayne before joining the Christ the King Parish last year following his move to Indianapolis. Mike was a dedicated educator who spent 41 years teaching students at Bishop Dwenger that geometry, trig, statistics, and computers are fun. He was also the director of plays and musicals for 31 years at the school. His love of the theater was evident from his role as a founding member of Fort Wayne's Arena Dinner Theater as well has his over 40 years of work at the Foellinger Theater in Franke Park. A loving husband, Mike shared his life with his best friend Paula up until he took his last breath. A proud father and grandfather, he took quiet joy in the accomplishments of his family and always had time to make a batch of bread or a coffee cake, and to play cards or other games. He was a wonderful man who collected Santa Claus statuettes and showed everyone the magic of Christmas year round. Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Paula Sue (Brake) Thompson; sons, Geoff (Jennifer) Thompson of Indianapolis and Matthew (Jennifer) Thompson of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, Benjamin, Caroline, Anna, Caitlin, Claire, and Chloe; brothers, Steve and Gerry Thompson; and sisters, Sandy McClure, Barbara Williams and Nancy Grone. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, James and Daniel. Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4500 Fairfield Ave., Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Visitation also from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at the Bishop Dwenger Chapel, 1300 E. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions be made to Bishop Dwenger High School in Mike's memory. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.org