Thomas "Tom" T. Thompson

Thomas T. “Tom” Thompson, 76, of Bluffton, Indiana formerly of Berne, Indiana passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was born on August 28, 1946, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Richard H. and Alice (Fletcher) Thompson.

Tom was a devout Catholic and a member of the St. Mary’s of the Presentation Church in Geneva, Indiana.  He formerly attended First Missionary Church, in Berne, Indiana.  For the past five years he attended church at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bluffton, Indiana.

Tom worked at Swiss Village for many years.  Prior to is employment there, he worked at The Hobby House in Fort Wayne.

Tom had many labels in his life. Tom was judged and suppressed by the label of “disabled”, but Tom had many abilities. He worked full time as a dishwasher at Hobby House for 23 years. He left that job when he moved to Berne and worked full-time at Swiss Village for over 10 years, where he rode his bike to work at the age of 56. Tom could read at a High School level, and had a keen ability to read people. Some of the labels I would use to describe Tom are faithful, considerate, self-advocating, kind, Catholic, and loyal. Tom cared about people.

T om expected respect and loyalty from his friends. After the death of his only sibling, Richard, in 2014, Tom had no biological family involved in his life. Tom would proudly tell people his brother was a priest, so Tom had no nieces or nephews. Bi-County became his family for the last 18 years of his life. We did our best to ensure he lived his life to the fullest. We celebrated birthdays and holidays together, went out for coffee and donuts with him, enjoyed sporting events and restaurants with him, attended concerts together, ensured he received the medical care he needed, celebrated mass together, and ensured his life was filled with the things that he wanted to do. Six of his “family” were praying, reminiscing, and crying with him the night before he died. Several other “family members” visited him at the hospital.

Tom lived a good life filled with meaning and friendships. He helped me learn how to count on others, to accept my crosses, and to walk in faith. I am blessed to be a part of a village that supports each villager. I am truly blessed that Tom was a part of my community.

Survivors include his friend, Preston (Katie) Brubaker of Bluffton, Indiana; and his loving Bi-County family.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Richard Thompson.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bluffton, Indiana with Father David Violi officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s of the Presentation Catholic Cemetery in Geneva, Indiana.

Friends will be received from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the church.

Preferred memorials can be given to Swiss Village or Bi-County Services.