Karen Sue Newton, age 58, of West Union, Ohio, died at the Adams County Manor after three long battles with breast cancer on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, surrounded by her family. She was born on Oct. 25, 1960 in West Union, Ohio, the daughter of Samuel Raymond and Shirley Kathryn (Bradford) Thomas.
Karen was an Air Force Veteran. Her time in the Air Force allowed her to travel and live in many different places. Of all the places she went, she mentioned England being her favorite. After her time in the military, Karen worked many different retail jobs over the years before she eventually became a stay at home mom to her beloved son. Karen and her son Devin were recently reunited with one another and she was very proud of the man he became. In her free time, she enjoyed shopping, going out to eat, going to concerts, and most of all, spending time with her family at family gatherings. Karen was easygoing, but a fighter who fought her battle with breast cancer until the end. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Samuel Raymond Thomas; and her sister, Sherry Jane (Rick) Palmer. She is survived by her son, Devin Ray Diaz of California; her mother, Shirley Kathryn Thomas of West Union; her siblings, Samuel Raymond Thomas, Jr. of West Union, Kathryn (Bob) Saddler of Texas, Randall J. Thomas of West Union, Sandra Jean Thomas of West Union, Shirley Ann (Richard) Fletcher of Bentonville, Marlene Frederick of Winchester, Tina (Sam Baldwin) Grooms of West Union, Lori (Rob) Scott of Manchester, Roxanne (Kevin) McNeilan of West Union, and William Joseph Thomas of Cherry Fork; her many, many nieces and nephews; and her church family and many friends.
A funeral service for Karen will be held at Wilson Home for Funerals in Manchester on Friday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Rev. Lee Detweiler will officiate. Burial will be held at Cherry Fork Cemetery. The Adams County Honor Guard will be presenting military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Karen’s name to The Peebles Place (25773 State Route 41, Peebles, Ohio 45660).