Posted on: Des Moines Co. Ia Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/DesMoinesObits/24 Surname: Thomas, Siefken, Orr, Showalter ------------------------- This was published in the June 15, 2000 issue of the Wapello Republican. I am not related to Mr. Thomas and I have no further information. Ray Fredrick Thomas, 85, rural Mediapolis, died Thursday, Juen 8, 2000 at Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant. Born March 20, 1915 at this lifelong home in rural Mediapolis, he was the son of Fred D. and Vinettie W. Siefken Thomas. He married Mary Elizabeth Orr, Dec. 28, 1938, at Mediapolis; she died September 18, 1997. He was a 1933 graduate of Mediapolis High School and was a dairy and grain farmer all his life at the farm that has been in his family since 1835, one of the oldest farms in the state of Iowa. He built and sold several stationary balers which he and his wife demonstrated at several of the area gas engine shows and at Old Threshers. He was former president of the Southeast Iowa Gas Engine Club and a member of the Des Moines County Genealogical Society. He and his wife documented most of the cemeteries in Des Moines County and donated the information to the local libraries. He spent several years researching his own family tree and then wrote a book about it. He was also an avid toy collector. Survivors include one son, Keith Thomas of Mediapolis; one daughter, Mary Ann Showalter of Burlington; four grandchildren, Laura Griffith and Amy Taeger of Mediapolis, Lisa Thomas of Austin, Texas, and Kasey Rider of Burlington; two great-granddaughters, Brittany and Bailey Griffith of Mediapolis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three brothers, and one sister. Visitation was Sunday afternoon and evening at the Hagele and Honts Funeral Home in Mediapolis. The family received friends at the funeral home from 3-5 pm. The funeral for Mr. Thomas was at 10:30 am Monday at the Hagele and Honts Funeral Home with the Rev. H. Dick Reynolds officiating. Burial followed at Kossuth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial was established.