Thomas, Wheeler J.

Passed: 1945-04-06

Age: 75

Source:

Death Notice: 1945-04-11

Obituary Date:

Information: W. J. THOMAS IS FOUND DEAD ON FARM AT EVANS - Funeral services for Wheeler J. Thomas, 75 year old farmer of Evans, were held from the Methodist church there Tuesday afternoon, and burial was in the Otterbein cemetery.  The funeral service had been delayed pending the arrival of two daughters from Florida.  Mr. Thomas was found dead on his farm at Evans last Friday evening about seven-thirty, and death was attributed to a heart attack.  He had been in poor health all winter, members of the family said.  About one o'clock Friday afternoon, he went out to repair a fence on the farm, was seen by neighbors as late as three o'clock, but is believed to have died soon thereafter.  The body was found by Mrs. Thomas and a neighbor, Mrs. Parsons.       He was a native of Virginia and was an engineer on the Norfolk and Western railroad from the age of 19 until he retired in the year 1900 and since that time had lived on the farm at Evans, and had been prominent in all farming and civic activities of the county.  Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Pearl Thomas, and the following children:  Mrs. Melinda Singleton, of Miami, Florida, Mrs. Miriam Hersman of Sandyville, Virginia Thomas, serving in the WAVES at Richmond, Florida, and Sgt. Paul F. Thomas, of the state police at Point Pleasant.  One son, Taylor Thomas, preceded him in death.  Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Bessie Cox of Roanoke, Virginia, and Mrs. Gay Hanson, and a brother, Frank Thomas, both of Ellison, Virginia