Ronald R. Thomas

Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Moss Funeral Home ~ Breese

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

11:00 a.m.

St. Dominic Catholic Church ~ Breese

Ronald R. Thomas, 84, of Breese, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 22, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved so dearly. Known to many as "RT," Ron lived a life defined by hard work, quiet strength, and an unshakable devotion to the people he called his own. A proud 1959 graduate of Mater Dei Catholic High School, he went on to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps before returning home to build a life rooted in love and purpose.

On October 5, 1963, Ron married the love of his life, Mary M. Meyer, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades. Together they raised a family and created a home filled with warmth and laughter. Ron devoted almost sixty proud years to IBEW Local 309 as a Journeyman Electrician — a career that spoke to his precision, his reliability, and his deep sense of pride in a job well done. He retired from Centralia Correctional Center as an electrician. Outside of work, Ron could often be found pitching horseshoes and bowling in his early years then later the golf course, where his competitive spirit and easy smile made every outing a memory worth keeping. He also cherished time spent in his brother Don's workshop, where the two shared a love of fixing small engines — a pastime that was as much about brotherly companionship as it was about the work itself. Ron had a gift for bringing people together around a card table too, and few things delighted him more than a good game of euchre with family, especially his grandchildren. He was also a long-time president of the Breese Rod and Gun Club, a role that reflected both his love of the outdoors and his natural ability to lead and serve his community. Above all else, family was the center of Ron's world — his greatest joy and his proudest achievement.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Mary; his six children, Ann (Ken) Faust of Aviston, Dorise (Jeff “Gus”) Schulte of Breese, Monica (Steve) Scheuer of Lexington, IL, Susan (Emilio) Matt of Johns Creek, GA, Christy "Laine" (Matthew) Liss of Roswell, GA, and David (Jill) Thomas of Damiansville; 14 cherished grandchildren, Katie (Matt) Young, Laura (Evan) Carlen, Nicholas (fiancée Molly Detmer) Faust, Morgan (Lauren) Arteman, Heather Schulte, Stacy (Matt) Thomas, Kayla West, Kelsey (Brandon) Walker, Richard Rhodes, Diana Matt, Marty Liss, Marshall (Emma) Liss, Simon (fiancée Addie Burns) Thomas, and Sophie Thomas; 7 great-grandchildren, with two more precious ones on the way; his sister, Mary Schlautmann of Germantown; sister- and brothers-in-law, Joann Thomas of Breese; Charles B. (Carole Knutt) Meyer of Breese, Ken Meyer of Aviston, Jim (Carol) Meyer of Maryville.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Agnes Thomas, his older brother Robert Thomas, twin brother Donald Thomas, father-in-law and mother-in-law Vince and Eugenia Meyer, brothers- and sisters-in-law David “Slick” Schlautmann, Donald Meyer and Cornel Zurliene, Darlene Thomas, Sherry Meyer, Lorraine Zurliene and Judy Meyer.

Ron was a man who measured his life not in years, but in the love he gave and the legacy he leaves behind. He will be forever missed and cherished.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. James Nall presiding. Interment will follow at St. Dominic - St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

In lieu of flowers, plants, or other gifts, memorials may be made to All Saints Academy, Mater Dei Catholic High School, or Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th Street, Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.