Lois E. Thomas

HOMOSASSA, Fla. — Lois E. Thomas, 95, of Homosassa, Fla., and formerly of Salem, died on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 in Homosassa, following complications of hip surgery.

She was born on Aug. 15, 1912 in Indianapolis, the daughter of the late Amos and Hazel (McKenzie) Beam and was the wife of the late John S. Thomas of Salem. Their life's journey together began after meeting at the Indianapolis 500 Race Track. They were avid race fans and attended the race annually for many years. The couple loved to travel and ventured the rudimentary Pan American Highway from Alaska to South America in the early 1950's. With her husband, she made two trips to Poland to research her family roots. With her brother, sister and other friends, she traveled throughout North America and Europe. She loved playing bridge and Euchre with her friends and was a voracious reader and, like her husband followed the stock market. She was a long-time resident of Salem and was employed as a secretary at the former Chelsea Naval Hospital until its closing. She had recently (2003) returned to Indianapolis and then moved to Homosassa.

She is survived by a brother, Max Beam of Indianapolis; a sister, Catherine B. Wisehart of Homosassa, Fla.; and her nephews, Robert Wisehart of Beverly Hills, Fla., Rex Wisehart of Denver, Gregory Thomas of Granby,Conn. and Ferdinand Thomas of Loxahatchee, Fla.; a niece, Dolores Thomas of Brookfield, N.H.; a sister-in-law, Margaret Thomas of Wenham and many dear friends. She was the the sister of the late Helen E. Michalek.

ARRANGEMENTS: Services and interment were held in Anderson, Ind.