Thomas James Applegate

Thomas James Applegate, 87, passed away from this world to his eternal home to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at his home with his family by his side.  He was born February 16, 1928 in Marion, Indiana to the late Thomas Earl Applegate and Athelena Cordelia (Adkins) Rice. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during WWII and was stationed in Wells, Austria.  He learned to speak German while in charge of a QMC Army supply unit.  He attended Church of God of Prophecy, Gas City.  He loved making unique things out of wood, gardening, playing the mandolin, and playing euchre.  He loved old westerns and comedies and knew the Walker Texas Ranger episodes by heart.  He worked various jobs throughout his life, longest at Anaconda.  His last job at age 78, was security guard at Ivy Tech.  Tom took his first airplane ride in April when he went to Washington, DC on an Honor Flight with 67 other WWII veterans. 

He is survived by: 
His wife, Wyaniza (Padgett) Smith Applegate of Marion. 
Daughter, Sheila (Lynn) Bradford of Portage, Indiana. 
Daughter, Kimberly Applegate of Wildwood, Florida.
Daughter, Carolyn Sue (Ted) Olejniczak of Summerfield, Florida. 
Step daughter, Rebecca (Jeff) Blessing of Point Isabel, Indiana.
Step daughter, Patricia Manley of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.
Step daughter, Jeanette (Jim Willoughby) Wilson of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. 
Step daughter, Trina (David Hyatt Jr.) Ritter of Marion, Indiana. 
Step daughter, Audra (Brad) Hicks of Herbst, Indiana.  
23 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Wayne Curtis and Rickie Hicks Applegate; step father, Wayne Rice; sister, Betty Vinson; granddaughter, Lisa Michelle Applegate; grandson, Eric Scott Applegate; and great grandson Eden Blackburn.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 1:00pm at Church of God of Prophecy, 906 North 10th Street, Gas City, Indiana.

Officiating the funeral will Pastor David Morris and Chaplin Henry Favorite. 

Visitation will be held before the service on Tuesday from 11:00am - 1:00pm 

Burial with military honors will be at Marion National Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Family Life Care.  The family would also like to thank Family Life Care for their wonderful care and help that they gave Tom over the past year.

Funeral services entrusted to Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne.

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