Our Family Commitment
OF service
Our guarantee to you and your family is very simple. As Wells County’s oldest family owned business, we have pledged to do business using the Golden Rule as our guide. We guarantee that the families we serve will be treated exactly the way that we would want to be treated ourselves. Each and every family we serve will be treated with caring and compassionate service. We pledge the very best in service to you from the first phone call we receive to any help or information you may need long after the services are over. As the owner of the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home you have my personal guarantee that you will be provided with the finest merchandise, services and facilities available. Our staff will make you and your guests feel at ease and comfortable during this extremely difficult time. Over the last 170 years, we have been honored to walk with families at very difficult times and ensure that they are provided the best level of care available. You may always call on me personally with any questions or concerns you may have and I will see that your satisfaction is our uTmost priority. Building Upon The Thoma Tradition Jeff & Jamie LemleR Our HISTORY OF 170 YEARS
Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home has its roots in Wells County dating back to the early 1850s when Henry Thoma left his farm in Ebersdorf, Germany, at the age of 17 and sailed for America. He landed at Ellis Island in New York on June 7, 1849, and was processed through as an immigrant to the United States. He moved on to Findlay, Ohio, where he learned the cabinetmakers trade and served as an apprentice for three years. At the same time, he attended school at the Presbyterian Academy in Findlay. In October of 1852 he moved to Bluffton, Indiana.
As was the custom in Europe, furniture making and undertaking was a combination business. If you could make a cabinet, you could also make a coffin. In January of 1853 Henry Thoma and Jacob Tribolet embarked in the joint venture of furniture and undertaking business under the firm name of Tribolet & Company. When there was a death in the community, the family would come to Mr. Thoma, many times with a notched hickory stick indicating the height and width of the person who died, and he would make the coffin in his cabinet shop. It was also the service of the undertaker to deliver the coffin to the home, place the body in the coffin, and then assist the family in making the funeral arrangements. The funeral conveyances were exceedingly primitive, many times using a spring wagon instead of a hearse. In 1855 Mr. Thoma made with his own hands the first horse drawn hearse used in Wells County.
Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home still has this hearse, along with other horse drawn vehicles used by the Thomas'. In 1861 Jacob Tribolet left Bluffton to join the Civil War and the business partnership was dissolved. Henry Thoma continued the business under his own name. There came a son, Herman W. Thoma, and then a grandson, William H. Thoma. Henry Thoma died in 1913. His son, Herman Thoma, born in 1872, succeeded his father in the business and was among the first of the Indiana undertakers to pass requirements of the state license law in 1898. He died in 1946.
William Thoma was born in 1901. A graduate of DePaul University in 1922, he was licensed the same year after study at the Worsham School of Embalming, Chicago, he then became an active partner in the firm. Howard Rich attended the Indiana College of Mortuary Science and became a member of the firm in 1956. In 1961 Mr. Rich became a partner, and the firm’s name was changed to Thoma/Rich Funeral Home. From 1853 until 1964 the establishment was located at 116 S. Main Street in Bluffton, Indiana. The building was a combination of three store fronts, housing the furniture business with the funeral operation tucked in the middle. By the 1960s it became evident that funeral customs were changing. The shift from the traditional church funerals was declining. Larger, more convenient facilities were required to serve the public needs at the time of death.
William Thoma and Howard Rich built an all-new 80 x 100 foot traditional colonial style building at 308 West Washington Street. The home was built to provide expanded facilities for funeral direction and greater comfort and convenience for those who call upon its services. William Thoma died in 1974. He was the last member of the Thoma family. Howard Rich purchased the remaining stock of the business from the Thoma family and continued to operate the firm under the Thoma/Rich name.
In January of 1991 the firm expanded its services to the community with the purchase of the Monument Center. This acquisition allowed the firm to better meet the community’s memorial needs. In late 1991 the firm launched a building project to house the Monument Center. This brand new facility with one of the largest granite displays in Northeast Indiana was completed in June of 1992 at 2980 East State Road 124, Bluffton.
In January 1992 Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home entered into a Partial Maintenance Agreement with Fairview and Elm Grove Cemeteries. This agreement called for the firm to be responsible for general cemetery operations, ground maintenance, grave opening/closing, and monument foundations. This proved to be a good arrangement for the cemeteries and the firm. In 1996 the firm entered into a Full Lease and Maintenance Agreement with Fairview and Elm Grove Cemeteries. This provided for a seventy-five year lease of the cemetery grounds to the funeral home and full operational responsibility for Thoma/Rich, Lemler. In 1997 Thoma/Rich, Lemler contracted with Granit-Bronze Company to construct Wells County’s Northridge Mausoleum at Fairview Cemetery. The 128 crypt community mausoleum and 56 niche columbarium shelter was competed in the spring of 1998. This facility provides the citizens of Wells County with a beautiful alternative to traditional ground burial. Jeffery D. Lemler received an Associate Science Degree in Funeral Service from Vincennes University. He completed a one-year apprenticeship and returned home and joined the firm in September 2000. In October of 2001, Jeff Lemler purchased Jeff Hewitt's stock in the company as he entered retirement. In January of 2014, Jeff & Jamie Lemler purchased all remaining stock in the funeral home, making Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home the only family owned and operated funeral home in Wells County. Today Jeff & Jamie and staff are serving today’s families with today’s innovations, but always with caring, personal service in the Thoma tradition.
-
Jeff Lemler, Funeral Director / Owner & Certified Funeral Celebrant
Jeff was raised in Wells County and a 1994 graduate of Norwell High School, he went on to study agriculture at Purdue University and worked with the Hippensteel Funeral Home in Lafayette. After graduating from Purdue, he went to Vincennes University and obtained his Funeral Directors License. Jeff returned to Bluffton and joined Thoma/Rich in September of 2000 and became a partner in the operation in the fall of 2001. In July of 2004 he married Jamie (Kain) and they live in rural Bluffton. They have a son, Braden and a daughter Macy. In January of 2011, Jeff graduated from Insight Institute as a Life Tribute Professional and founded Northeast Indiana's first Funeral Celebrant Program. Under this program, Jeff has had the privilege of serving families that are looking for a truly personalized funeral option. “Every person has a story. A story that is written every day of their lives. As a Celebrant, I have the honor to tell these remarkable stories, and pay tribute to a life well lived!" Jeff has been very active in the Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, helping World War II Veterans make the trip to Washington, D.C. to experience their monument. He serves as the President of the Guarding Group, a division of Bluffton Revitalization, along with serving on the Strategic Planning Committee of the Wells County Foundation. He holds memberships in both the National Funeral Directors Association, Indiana Funeral Directors Associations, along with his membership in SAL, American Legion Post #111 of Bluffton.
-
Jamie Lemler, Owner / Business Operations Administrator
Jamie is the daughter of Norm & Sally (Jackson) Kain of Bluffton and granddaughter of James S. & Mary Alice Jackson. She graduated From Bluffton High School where she was active in athletics and cheerleading. She graduated from University of Indianapolis with her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. She worked at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne starting in 2001. In 2017, Jamie joined the family business full time and has a very active role in the daily operations and works as the business administrator. You will see Jamie during visitations and serving families on funeral services and coordinates our extensive aftercare program. Jamie and Jeff have a son, Braden and daughter, Macy and therapy dog Chloe.
-
Howard D. Rich, In Loving Memory
Howard D. Rich was born Adams County, Indiana to Edward and Lillie (Beer) Rich, he was part of the first class to graduate from Adams Central High School in 1950. He married Beverly J. Lobsiger in June 1955 at the Monroe United Methodist Church. He served in the United States Army in the Military Police, and then graduated from Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis. Howard came to Bluffton in 1956 to work for Bill Thoma in his funeral business and became a partner within five years, forming the Thoma/Rich Funeral Home. He was encouraged by his new employer to join the Bluffton Rotary Club, which he would serve in several offices including president and remain active for 55 years, rarely missing a meeting. He once credited the club’s motto, “Service Above Self,” for leading him into community service. The first effort was a joint project with his wife. During their first year as members of the Downtown Merchants Association, the couple responded immediately when it was announced that due to lack of funds, the city would not be putting up Christmas decorations. The couple volunteered to coordinate the project, donating their time and materials. He was soon asked to serve on the Community Chest board, the forerunner of the United Way and was the fund drive chair. Howard served on the boards of the Wells County Public Library and the Chamber of Commerce including terms as president of each. He co-chaired (with Beverly) the local bicentennial celebration in 1976 and he was a key leader in the revitalization efforts triggered by the loss of the Corning Glass plant in the late-1980s. This resulted in the creation of the Rivergreenway, the downtown landscaping and the Kehoe Riverfront Park. When the chamber of commerce and the Creative Arts Council were both in need of new office and program space in 2001, Howard conceived the idea of the Arts, Commerce and Visitors Centre on the banks of the Wabash and led the effort to raise more than $2 million to make the vision a reality in 2004. He retired from the funeral home in 2001, but remained active in a number of community and Rotary projects, including a total refurbishing of Rotary Park along the Rivergreenway. This resulted in the new pavilion being named in his honor. Howard Rich was named the Volunteer of the Year in 2014, he received the Wells County Community Service Award in 1977 and the Outstanding Citizen of the Year from the chamber in 1991. Howard and Bev were presented with the Art Leadership Award from the Arts Alliance of Indiana in 2002, and were the Grand Marshals for the Bluffton Street Fair opening parade in 2007. Howard was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Bluffton, where he faithfully served on many committees.
-
Tonya Enochs, Operational Administrator
Tonya joined our team in March of 2023 after serving as Office Administrator for 19 years at the Bluffton First Church of the Nazarene. She is a graduate from Jay County High School but has lived in Southern Wells County since 1999. Though Tonya will be in the office you will see her serving at viewings and funerals, meeting with families for pre-arrangements and following up after funerals to help with insurance needs. She says she feels blessed to be able to walk alongside families through the difficult moments that we all face. Tonya married her husband Jason in 1999 and they have 3 children, Abi (husband Logan) Walker, Bradon and Chloe. She loves spending time with her family, enjoys being outdoors in her flowers, hunting, and camping.
-
Brooklynn Huss
Brooklynn Huss is a 2023 graduate of Norwell. Her parents are Nathan and Missy Huss. She has been an essential part of our funeral team since she was a freshman in high school. Brooklynn and her family attend St. Joseph Catholic Church of Bluffton. Brooklynn has been accepted and will attend Mid-America College of Funeral Service to work towards becoming an Indiana Licensed Funeral Director. In her free time she loves to read, spending time with her friends and completing latch hook rugs especially those with cats.
-
Ryan Potts, Director of Special Operations
Ryan Potts brings a long history of providing excellence to families at a difficult time.
-
Brian Steffen, Monument Specialist
Brian is a graduate of Ivy Tech with an Associates Degree in Business Management and Business Marketing. Brian was hired by Thoma/Rich to maintain and manage the Monument Center and Bluffton Cemeteries, Inc. Brian enjoys leisure time activities like bike riding, basketball, jogging, walks with his wife, and is a member of the Apostolic Christian Chuch.
-
Nancy Moore - Baker
Nancy has lived in Bluffton since 1966 and is a 1978 graduate of Bluffton High School. After high school, she began a 29 year career as a dental assistant, working 23 of those years with Dr. Michael Graham. In 2007, she joined the staff of Family LifeCare in Berne, serving as their HR Coordinator. She started employment with Thoma/Rich, Lemler in June of 2014. Nancy married Dwight Baker in 1991 and resides in Bluffton. Nancy was a 14 year member and past treasurer of Bluffton Beta Phi Chapter of Tri Kappa. She currently is a member of Light and serves on the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. Nancy enjoys being able to assist families during visitations and services and is proud to be part of the Thoma Tradition.
-
Andy Wolf
James Andrew (Andy) Wolf is a lifelong resident of Wells County. He is a 1971 graduate of Bluffton High School. He earned a Bachelor degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2012. He retired from American Electric Power (AEP) in 2012 after 40 years of service where he worked as an electrical equipment repair facility supervisor. He retired as safety manager for Cianbro Electric Power in 2021. Andy and his wife, Brenda, attend St. Peter Lutheran Church in Adams County where he has served as head deacon and Elder. Andy is currently serving on both, the Lancaster Township Advisory Board and Six Mile Cemetery Board. They are the parents of five children, Jim Stults, Troy (Ali) Stults, Chris Wolf, Lindsay (Jason) Maiden, and Landon Wolf. They also have nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
-
Rev. Lyle A Breeding
Rev. Lyle A. BreedingLyle was born and raised in Plymouth, Indiana. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1975. In 1980 he married Patricia (Hougey) and they have two daughters. Jennifer teaches at Belmont Middle School in Decatur, Indiana and Elyse works at Egenuity in Monroe, Indiana. Lyle worked in the commercial printing industry until 1992 when God called him into the ministry. Being Ordained in the Wesleyan Church Lyle ministered at Plymouth Wesleyan Church from 1992 – 2004. In 2004 he moved to Bluffton and became the Senior Pastor at Sonlight Wesleyan Church where he still serves in that capacity. Lyle and Pat are happy to call Bluffton home and he is glad to be able to help minister to families during their difficult times along with the rest of the staff at Thoma /Rich, Lemler.
