Tom H. Lay

Tom H. Lay, 87, of Elkhart, passed away November 22, 2022 at Riverside Village in Elkhart.  He was born December 13th, 1934 in Jasper, AL. to Marlin and Gladys Lay. He married Charlotte Irwin on March 3, 1956 in Elkhart.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Charlotte M. Lay of Elkhart, a son Tom D. (Ginny) Lay of Elkhart and a daughter Constance J. (Lay) Flamion of Mishawaka. He is also survived by his sisters Louise Fisher of South Bend, IN and Patricia “Ann” Wallace of Elkhart.  Mr. Lay was loved by his grandchildren Angela (Joshua Hullinger) Flamion, Phillip J.  (Katie) Flamion  II, Alexandra (Kyle) Hershberger, Trinity and Amanda Lay, Ricky and Matthew Lay and Nathan and Tieler Littlepage, as well as 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Tom was preceded in death by his two sons, Timothy E. Lay and James “Rick” Lay and two grandsons, Timothy E. Lay II and Shane M. Lay; two brothers Elmose “Bobby” Lay and Charles Lay and one sister Ruth “Gail” Ellsworth, along with his parents Marlin L. and Gladys Lay.

Mr. Lay was a long-time employee of Bud’s Body Shop of Elkhart where he custom painted hundreds of cars, buses, and RV’s. After retirement he loved wood working projects and gifted many family members with his work.

“A warrior through poverty, grief and loss. A fighter through many illnesses. You survived battle after battle. It’s time to be at peace.”

Funeral arrangements are at 2pm on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 where visitation will from 1-2pm at the funeral home.  Burial will held at a later date at Carlton Cemetery in Elkhart. Online condolences may be made to the Lay family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com