Mr. Francis L. Thomas - Of Portage, Died Monday, April 8, 2002 at his home. Francis was born July 16, 1917 in Blackford County, Indiana, the son of Sherman and Ozie (Rodgers) Thomas. He lived in Hartford City, IN, until entering the service in 1943, where he made four trips across the Atlantic with the Merchant Marines. He returned to Indiana and worked for Overhead Door Company, later moving to Florence COO. In 1953 he moved to Kalamazoo, and began working at Lake Street Lumber, then later National Waterlift, from which he retired 1979. Francis was a member of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Portage. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 35 years, Nellie (Crandall) in 1969; son, Jerry Thomas; granddaughter, Kathy Boyer; step-son, John Bardenhagen; two sisters, Faye Simmerman and Phyllis Melick; and one brother, Robert D. Thomas. On January 24, 1975 he was united in marriage to Ruth Bardenhagen, who survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Shirley (Bill) Vinyard of Dadeville, AL; two step-daughters, Mary (Dennis) Hutchins of Kalamazoo, and Deborah Bardenhagen (Ron) Shuster of Vicksburg; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9420 Portage Road with The Rev. Gary Grieger officiating. Interment will follow the service at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes Portage Chapel 411 E. Centre Ave. 343-1508 on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church or Borgess V.N.A. and Hospice Service. source: Kalamazoo Gazette April 10, 2002 (submitted by a volunteer, not a family member)