Obituary

Thomas E. Stewart, 57, of The Villages, Florida, and Westler Lake, Wolcottville, Indiana, died Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at 3:12 p.m. in Health Central Hospital, Ocoee, Florida, due to complications from surgery.

Mr. Stewart retired as Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Army after 31 years of service. He and his wife were last stationed in Huntington Beach, California, and moved to Westler Lake, Wolcottville, Indiana, in 2006. They had also resided in The Villages, Florida, since 2007.

He attended Tri County Baptist Church in Florida and the First Baptist Church of Topeka, Indiana.

He was born September 6, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Ralph and Audrey (Conley) Stewart. On September 27, 1975, in LaOtto, Indiana, he married Diana Hicks.

Surviving are his wife, Diana Stewart of The Villages, Florida, and Westler Lake, Wolcottville, Indiana; his mother, Audrey Downing of Westler Lake, Wolcottville, Indiana; a brother and sister-in-law, David and Candace Stewart of South Bend, Indiana; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Joey Ann and Nevin White of Tavares, Florida, and Charsie and Jerry Miller of Huntertown, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Stewart; his stepfather, Donald Downing; and a nephew, Matthew Miller.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 6, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Topeka, 104 North Street, Topeka, Indiana, with Pastor Gene Parker officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Wolcottville, Indiana.

Calling will be Friday, June 5, 2009, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the church and Saturday, June 6, 2009, from noon to 2 p.m.

Preferred memorials are to the American Cancer Society or the First Baptist Church of Topeka.

Assisting the family with arrangements is Young Family Funeral Home, Wolcottville Chapel, State Road 9 North, Wolcottville, Indiana.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com