Evelyn Grace Thomas

Evelyn G. Thomas, 79, of Kalamazoo, passed away, Saturday, December 30, 2017, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Animals Best Friend-Kalamazoo Chapter or the Kalamazoo Humane Society. Those wishing to sign Evelyn’s guestbook may do so online at www.newellchapel.com. Evelyn was born on September 29, 1938 to Oswald and Margaret (Arndt) Lindel in Decatur. She graduated from Decatur High School in 1955. On November 29, 1968 she married the love of her life Leon “Skip” Thomas in Kalamazoo. Evelyn worked as a legal secretary for over 50 years before retirement. She was locally known in the Kalamazoo area by many people for selling and growing high quality produce and flowers, which she and Skip had been doing since the mid 70’s. Evelyn was a very smart, vigorous and compassionate woman. Most of all she loved her friends and family. Evelyn is survived by her brothers Fred Lindel and Carl (Bonnie) Lindel; nieces and nephews, Colin (Brenda) Lindel, Jason Lindel, Dannielle Brown, Katie Irwin, David Irwin, Malcolm (Dawn) Irwin, Jon Irwin, Julie (Ken) McLeese, Vincent Lindel, Matthew (Michelle Miller) Lindel, Gregory Lindel and Bethany (Brad) Rowgo; great-nieces and nephews, Dawn, Daniel, David, Jr., Elaine, Lindsey, Melanie, Ben, Braxton and Bryson and several great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Skip Thomas; sister, Catherine Irwin-Smith and sister-in-law Katherine Lindel.