Mr. Hoyle Eugene Thomas, 86, of Lebanon, passed away April 7, 2017, at his home in Lebanon.

Hoyle was born on October 17, 1930, in Hoopeston, IL, the son of the late Bethel and Ruby (Anderson) Thomas.

Hoyle attended school in the Hoopeston area and he then graduated from Newtown High School in 1948. Following high school, he entered the U.S. Navy where he served on the U.S.S. Pickaway for four years as an engineer, delivering troops ashore in Korea. After an honorable discharge in late 1954, he began his career with Indiana Bell Telephone Company as a service engineer in Attica, IN.

On December 10, 1955, he met and married Patsy "Pat" Reed at First Baptist Church in Hoopeston, IL, through Reverend Clark. Following their marriage, they lived in Attica, where they both worked for the Bell system. They then moved to Kokomo and Linton, before moving to Lebanon, where they still reside.

Hoyle worked in Indianapolis where he retired as a commercial manager in 1983. After retiring, George and Margaret Larr asked Hoyle to join them at Larr Equipment as a salesman; he remained there through the changes in the company for 12 years. Hoyle had grown up on the farm as a child.

Hoyle had three favorite past times: traveling in their RV, golf, and fishing. He, Pat, and one of their four schnauzers hit the road whenever they could, traveling the U.S. and spending their winters in Florida. Hoyle served as the Chamber of Commerce President in Linton for two years and as the Civitian President. He was also the Fourth of July parade president in Linton for three years. Hoyle was Elder Emeritus of Central Christian Church in Lebanon, and a member of the Lebanon Kiwanis Club, the American Legion in Lebanon and Linton, the Telephone Pioneers of America and many other organizations.

Survivors include his wife Pat Thomas of Lebanon, his brother Lowell Dean (Sue) Thomas of Johnson City, TN, his sisters-in-law Barbara Thomas of Bradenton, FL and Debbie Thomas of Acworth, GA, lots of nieces and nephews, and his faithful companion Yetta Rose. Hoyle was preceded in death by his son Bradley Reed Thomas who passed away in May 1981, his sister Mildred (Harold) Strong, and his brothers B.A. (Audrey) Thomas, Ronald Thomas, and Austin Thomas.

Family and friends will gather Friday, April 14, 2017, for visitation from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. A visitation from 10 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Central Christian Church, 311 E. Main St., Lebanon with Reverend Brad Miller officiating. Hoyle will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon. You are invited to visit the website www.strawmyerdrury.com where you may sign his online register and leave a personal message. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Central Christian Church, 311 E. Main Street, Lebanon, IN 46052.