Rosemary Thomas

Rosemary (Dudziak) Thomas, age 90, of Indianapolis, IN, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Rosemary was born in Indianapolis, IN, on June 22, 1935, to her parents, the late William and Antonie (Slupek) Dudziak.

Rosemary was a graduate of Ben Davis High School, class of 1953. She also graduated from Butler University with a BS in Elementary Education in 1957 and received her MS in Elementary Education from Butler in 1962. She taught in IPS School #79 from 1957-1963. Then, she taught at Rhoades Elementary School in the MSD of Wayne Township from 1978-1999. After retirement, she worked as a reading aide at Our Shepherd Lutheran School from 1999-2019.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Irvin E. Thomas. Rosemary and Irvin were married on August 10, 1958, in Indianapolis, IN.

Rosemary was very active at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church. She was very involved in the Angel Tree and LWML(Lutheran Women's Missionary League) and hosting Bible Studies. She was also involved in Girl Scouts. She enjoyed Indiana history and belonged to the Indiana Historical Society and the Geography Educators' Network of Indiana(GENI). She also enjoyed going on Department of Natural Resources' trips with her husband and friends. She liked traveling the country and overseas with her husband and bowling with him and watching him play softball. She also enjoyed reading. She is also remembered for hosting family gatherings at the holidays and for birthdays.

Rosemary is preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Gunhilde Dudziak, Waltrude Crawley, Wilma Dudziak, Brenda Banvard; nephew, Daniel Crawley, and son, Roger I. Thomas. Surviving to treasure her memory are husband, Irvin, daughter, Marcy Gaston(Andy); sister-in-law, Robena DeMoss; daughter-in-law, Juli Thomas Bostic(the late Roger I. Thomas); grandchildren, Ruth Gaston, Elsa Gaston, Zachary Thomas, Karli Chesser(Nick), Cassidy Thomas(Cara Merkel); great grandchildren, Kleo, Sebastian, and Izaiah Chesser. Also surviving are cousins in Germany and numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces and great, great nephews and nieces.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 9201 E CR 100N, Avon, IN, 46123. (Please note that the intersection at W. 10th Street and Raceway Road will be closed on or after March 23.)

Her funeral service will also be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 12 p.m. at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Memorials can be made to Our Shepherd Lutheran Church or Our Shepherd Lutheran School.