Jacob Michael Thomas

Jacob Michael Thomas, 26 of Bluffton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at his residence. Jacob was born on September 25, 1998, in Bluffton to Michael Troy & Kerry L. (Kinzie) Thomas. When Jacob came home from the hospital at 41 days old, he was lovingly raised and cared for by his Nana, Brenda S. Thomas of Bluffton. He attended Pre-School at Ossian Elementary School and furthered his education with Bluffton-Harrison Schools. With the loving help and support of his teacher Mary Fogwell, Jacob graduated from Bluffton High School. Jacob loved Winnie-the-Pooh. His favorite place was the Hundred Acre Woods, the fictional woodland setting for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. It is here that Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Christopher Robin live and have their adventures, and they surrounded Jacob in his room. He loved reading the books and watching the movies repeatedly, for it was in this place that he was truly free! Jacob will be fondly remembered for his sweet and caring sprint, which allowed him to touch many lives. He made such a special impact on the lives of the staff and doctors at Riley Children’s Hospital, Dr. Washington O. Sumabat, MD, and longtime nurses and friends Rowena Morgan, Kelly Ybarra and Tara Bishop. Jacob and Nana visited Disney World five times, and he was able to meet his favorite characters and ride the rides, just like all the other kids! He loved watching CARS and at Christmas time, his favorite character was always the Grinch. He is survived by his Nana, Brenda S. Thomas of Bluffton, a brother, Matthew (Shauna) Nelson Thomas of Springfield, IL., and two nephews, Vincent & Caydon Thomas, and grandparents; Vicki Kinzie of Bluffton, Dick & Linda Thomas of Hartford City, along with many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Jacob is preceded in death by his mother, Kerry L. (Kinzie) Thomas and his father, Michael Troy Thomas, grandfather, Harold Kinzie, along with great-grandparents; Loren & Virginia Thomas and Sam & Lola Rhodes, and his adopted-grandma, Myra Henry. Visitation will be held from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Friday, (August 8, 2025) at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. A service to celebrate Jacob’s life will take place at 3 P.M. on Saturday, (Aug. 9, 2025) at the funeral home with Rev. R.C. Muhlbaier officiating. Burial will follow at Six Mile Cemetery in Bluffton, Indiana. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send condolences online to the family at www.thomarich.com.

Jacob Michael Thomas

September 25, 1998 - July 29, 2025