Margaret Maxine Thomas

Our beloved Margaret Maxine Thomas went to be with the Lord Thursday morning, June 4, 2020.

Born Jan. 8, 1930 to Minter “Lee” and Nellie (Fodrea) Flanigan, Maxine lived a long life filled with music and family.

Being from a musical family where older brother and two cousins formed the legendary “Four Freshmen” music group, it was always a big part of her life. A master pianist, Maxine always had a piano in the house. Living on a farm, one could hear her play as they came up the very long lane to her house. She was one that could hear a song on the radio and within minutes be playing it as if she wrote it. Family and friends always enjoyed hearing her play and watching her “Liberace” flair. As a member of Hanna Street Baptist Church, Maxine was called on many times to play.

She passed this on to her children, as her eldest James Michael toured with Wayne Newton for over a decade, daughter Kathy active musically with the church and son Bob in a variety of groups and churches over the years. Family gatherings always had music.

Maxine is sadly missed already and will be by family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bob Flanigan and husband of 50 years, Ralph (Gene) Thomas.

Surviving are son James Michael Paul Martzolf (Mary Ann Coury) of Los Angeles, daughters Linda (Martin) Welker (John), Kathy (Thomas) Dalton of Greencastle and son Robert Thomas (Kristi) of Noblesville.

Grandchildren include Jennifer Martzolf (Marcus) of California, Melanie Welker, Stephen (Jena) Welker, Janet (Bill) Horton, David (Chasity) Wood, Jennifer (Pat) Girton all from Greencastle; William (Catherine) Thomas of Louisiana, Jason Thomas of Peru and Brian and Emily Larkin Noblesville.

Maxine also enjoyed the love and comfort of 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren as well the special families of Sally Pawoll of California and Teena Spencer of Greencastle.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 11 at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home with Pastor Patrick Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Clinton Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until time of service.

Memories may be shared with the family at www.Hopkins-Rector.com.