"Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies on the loss of Barbara. I can remember Barbara in early childhood days in Columbia City, IN. That would be back in 1947, when they lived on US 30 East (Chicago street). As the years passed, grade school, high school and then CCHS class reunions. Have fond memories of the Bates family, as Barbara's mother cut our hair in grade school. Our Mother's were friends, I passed on to brother Charles a flower vase made by Mrs. Bates. Rest in peace Barbara with fond memories from your CCHS 1957 Classmates. Ted Gruver Bel Air, MD. "
In loving memory of
Barbara Ellen Thomas
July 7, 1938 - November 9, 2019
Barbara Ellen Thomas, 81, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 12:20 a.m. Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Canterbury Nursing Home. Born July 7, 1938 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Edna (Sievers) Bates.
Barbara was a resident of Columbia City and graduated Columbia City High School with the Class of 1956. She received an Associate Degree in Drafting. She had worked with her family laying underground phone lines in her youth but went on to work for many companies throughout the years. However, her lifelong "career" was taking care of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Survivors include her children; Jeffrey (Maureen) Rouse of Spanaway, WA, Paul Rouse of Fort Wayne, IN, Phyllis (Harold) Rice of Las Vegas, NV, Dennis (Emilia) Rouse of Plantersville, TX, and Ernest (Andrea) Thomas of Friendswood, TX; siblings, Charles (Sandra) Bates, of Oxnard, Calif., William (Julie) Bates of New Ulm, MN, and Dorothy (Mark) Pressler of Churubusco, IN; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leroy Thomas, and brothers Arthur Bates and Thomas Bates.
A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, November 23, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a gathering an hour prior.
Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send her family condolences online.
Tributes
"May God give you strength in this time of grief and fond memories of Barbara Ellen Bates Rouse Thomas, CCHS Alumni Class of 1957. The Alumni of CCHS extends sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to Barbara's family. www.cchsaa.org per TLG"
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "