Michael Kenneth Thomas, of Niles
Nov. 25, 1960 – July 30, 2017
Niles Daily Star, Published 8:43 am Monday, August 7, 2017
Michael Kenneth Thomas, 56, of Niles, died peacefully on Sunday, July 30, 2017, at West Woods of Niles, following an extended illness.
He was born on Nov. 25, 1960, in Fort Myers, Florida, to Henry J. and Lucille (Thomas) Thomas. He was graduated from Niles High School, and served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army.
- Michael Thomas
He was self-employed as a handyman to many of the homes in Niles. He was able to repair anything from machines to houses, and recycled most of the community’s outdated and unrepairable appliances.
Big Mike was a man of God, and often worshipped at the Victory Church in Buchanan. He was also the life of every party, with a seemingly endless collection of jokes and good humor. More than all of that, he was a family man, caring for his family as his greatest priority.
That family includes his companion of 26 years, Susan Kaye Carroll; and his children, Torie Smith of Niles, Kesonia (Jermaine) Thomas-Walker of South Bend, Indiana, Michael Jerome Thomas of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kenneth Thomas, Rochele Thomas, Michael Carroll, and Tamisha Carroll, all of Niles, and Johnnell King of Texas; 21 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; Mike’s siblings, Barbara (Conyers) Ingram of Jackson, Tennessee, Brenda (Robert) Williams of Tampa, Florida, Beverly (James) Hosea of South Bend, Mary (Lennie) Gills of South Bend, Willie Sirmons of Naples, Florida, Jimmy (Darlene) Thomas of Fort Myers, Johnny Thomas of Niles, Harrison (Regina) Thomas of Fort Myers, and Manuel (Alicia) Thomas of Chesapeake, Virginia; two aunts; two uncles; 42 nieces and nephews; 25 great-nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.
The funeral service for Michael Thomas will be at noon on Friday, Aug. 11, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles, with the Rev. Bryant L. Bacon Sr. officiating. Committal rites will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends from 11 a.m. to noon at the church.
Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, halbritterfunerals.com.