Lt. Col. Thomas E. McFadden (Ret.), 83, of Elkhart, died Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at BellTower Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Granger.

Thomas was born on March 14, 1933 in Sandusky, OH to Leroy and Margaret (McGill) McFadden. On April 12, 1960, he married Donna Lee Toms. She preceded him in death on November 15, 1998.

Thomas is survived by a daughter, Sandra Zimmerle (Chris), Goshen, and grandchildren, Brian Zimmerle (Cheyenne), and Sean Zimmerle. He was preceded in death by brothers, Eugene and James McFadden.

Thomas graduated from John Carrol College in 1955 with a B.S. He received his M.A from Central Michigan in 1977, he later graduated from Air War College in 1978.

Thomas proudly served in the USAF, retiring in 1988. He was a civil service employee at the Pentagon.

Thomas was a volunteer with Gideon's International. He spent time with various disaster relief organizations, and assisted in the aftermath of Hurricane Gordon in Haiti.

Friends may call from 1 pm until the 3 pm service, with full military honors, Monday, February 20, 2017 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home with Reverend Rick Pirtle officiating. Burial will take place in Woodland Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.