Eileen J. Thomas, 81, a longtime resident of 700 Lincoln St. Plymouth, died at the family home of her daughter Cheryl, Sunday at 2:15 p.m. She had been in the care of her family and the Marshall County Hospice.
      
       Born in Plymouth , on April 5, 1921 , she is the daughter of Russell D. and Ollie F. Webster Shearer. She was a 1939 graduate of West High School .
      
       On January 24, 1942 , in Plymouth , Eileen married Lester L. Thomas who survives. She was a devoted mother and homemaker, always helpful to family and friends and enjoyed cooking and gardening. An avid Plymouth sports fan, she and Les could be seen quite often at various events.
      
       Eileen was a faithful member of the Plymouth Church of the Brethren.
      
       Survivors include her spouse of sixty years, two daughters; Cheryl S. (Michael) Mertes of Plymouth and Patricia A. (Mark) Schutts of Mishawaka and one son; Matthew S. (Stacy) Thomas of Terre Haute , Ind. along with six granddaughters, three grandsons, three great granddaughters and four great grandsons. Two sisters; Gwen (David) Scheetz of Plymouth and Jeanette Doran of Parma Heights, Ohio and one brother; Dewey (Phyllis) Shearer of North Webster, Ind. together with several nieces and nephews also survive.
      
       Eileen was preceded in death by her parents and one son Michael Thomas in August of 1969.
      
       Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10th in the Plymouth Church of the Brethren, 1130 N. Michigan St . A gathering of family and friends will be held immediately following services in the Church Fellowship Hall.
      
       Interment will take place in New Oakhill Cemetery , Plymouth .
      
       Memorial gifts in Eileen?s name may be made to the Marshall County Hospice or the Church.