Mr. Carl William Thode, 94, of New Carlisle, IN, and formerly of LaPorte, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Hamilton Communities, New Carlisle.
He was born Feb. 15, 1920, in LaPorte to Carl and Edna (Ball) Thode and lived in LaPorte most of his life.
Carl was co-owner of Thode Floral at one time, and retired from LaPorte Hospital. Carl had been active in LaPorte Business Bureau, LaPorte Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club, and was a founding member of the original Center Township Fire Department.
Carl served his country in World War II as a 2nd lieutenant in infantry and also served five years in reserves. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of LaPorte and held many offices and served on many committees. Carl loved the Lord, family and country. He enjoyed baseball at all levels, from Little League on up. He lived the last years of his life at Hamilton Communities, where he served as chapel assistant.
On March 6, 1942, in LaPorte, he married Kathryn Bowman, who survives and resides at Hamilton Communities.
He is also survived by three sons, Thomas G. (M. Anne) Thode of LaPorte, Paul D. (Gloria) Thode of LaPorte and Mark R. (Phyllis) Thode of Bath, MI; three daughters, Sylvia Thode of LaPorte, Kathy (Stuart) Singer of Austin, TX, and Jeanne Cartwright of LaPorte; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor Thode; brother, W. Wesley Thode; and son-in-law, Robert Cartwright.
The family will receive friends at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, LaPorte, on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 1 to 5 p.m., and at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 2 to 3 p.m. A life celebration will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at the church with Rev. Ronald A. Brauer, Rev. Aaron Kretzschmar and Rev. James Fisko officiating. A private interment will take place at a later date in Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 111 Kingsbury Ave., LaPorte, IN 46350; Hamilton Communities, 31869 Chicago Trail, New Carlisle, IN 46552; or LaPorte Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 250, LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.