Wayne Eugene "Gene" Thomas, 70, of Newton, passed away Thursday, August 23, 2012, at his home.  Funeral services at Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton with Nate Hagen officiating. Entombment in Crest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery in rural Claremont with full military rites by American Legion Richland Post #30.

Wayne Eugene "Gene" Thomas was born on September 27, 1941, in Olney, Illinois, to Oral E. and Dorothy (Stanley) Thomas. He married Christina Ann Smith, of Harrisburg, Illinois, on September 29, 1962, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Oral Thomas.

Wayne served his country in the United States Army as a radio technician from 1963 to 1966. After his Army service, Wayne worked for the State of Illinois as an electronic technician for 35 years and retired in 2002.

Wayne was a member of American Legion Richland Post #30 in Olney, and Fraternal Order of Eagles in Newton. He was an avid reader and enjoyed hunting.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 49 years, Christina Thomas, of Newton; three children, Rebecca (Jerry) Sparks, of Newton, Tommy Thomas, of Crocker, Mo., and James (Kristen) Thomas, of Miami, Okla.; 10 grandchildren, Jacob Thomas, Katie Carder, Tasha Sparks, Jacob Hunley, Tika Sparks, Alexandria Thomas, Caleb Thomas, Logan Thomas, Sarah Thomas and Tommy Thomas, Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Avri and Alezander Carder; and brother, Jimmy Thomas, of Olney.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Oral E. and Dorothy Thomas, and his brother, William E. Thomas.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) ~ August 24, 2012