Joseph Thomas Thieme

Joseph Thomas Thieme, 82, of Carmel, Indiana passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022 after a long illness. He was born on October 26, 1939 in Lafayette, Indiana and was the son of Frederick J. and Josephine Clifford Thieme.  

Tom graduated from Jefferson High School in 1957, and then he attended Purdue University.

In 1963, he was drafted into the US Army where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Artillery at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.  He married Jane M. Freistroffer on May 30, 1964.  She preceded him in death on December 4, 2013.

Tom served at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he taught Artillery Survey, then in Korea as a Battery Commander from March 1966-April 1967.  After returning to Ft. Sill, OK and then Ft. Bliss, Texas where he attended Artillery Officer Advanced Training, he was assigned to serve in Vietnam.  Upon returning from his year in Vietnam, he was assigned to Germany for three years where he served as the Executive Officer of a Pershing Missile Battery and was the Reconnaissance and Survey Officer for the Battalion.  Captain Thieme was a hardworking and well-respected officer, devoted to his country to the end. A true patriot, Tom received several commendations including the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service.  A perfectly cared for flag was always flying at his home.

In 1972, he left the service and returned to Lafayette where he began his 28-year career in chemistry at Eli Lilly and Company, retiring in 2002.  

During retirement, he used his considerable photography skills as photographer for Coldwell Banker The Shook Agency, retiring in 2005.  His impressive collection of camera equipment was also known to be of aid in helping him appear to belong in places for which he wasn’t credentialed-most especially restricted areas of his beloved Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Tom was a longtime member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lafayette where he was a member of the Parish Council.  In recent years after his move to Carmel, Indiana, he was a member of St. Louis de Montfort Parish where he was famous for bringing his delicious deviled eggs to the St. Ann’s Guild lunches.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion in South Haven, Michigan.  

He was a devoted husband to Jane for 49 years and a loving father and grandfather.  Daughter Jennie (Jerome) LaReau and son Thomas (Shelly) Thieme both of Carmel, and daughter Mary Jo (Andreas) Sashegyi of Indianapolis all survive him.  He is also survived by the loves of his life, his grandchildren:  Nicholas, Andrew and Zachary Thieme, Katherine LaReau and Thomas Sashegyi.  His sisters Barbara Schrader of Lafayette and (twin) Josephine Deible of Oswego, IL also survive, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins he adored. He was preceded in death by his brothers John and James Thieme.

Services will be held at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church in Fishers, Indiana on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.  Visitation will be at 9:30 am in the narthex followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11:00 am.  Burial at Oaklawn Cemetery will follow the funeral mass.

Condolences: www.randallroberts.com