Kathleen “Katie” Alta Thomas, nee Hinkle, 85, of O’Fallon, MO, born August 28, 1940, died Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
Katie worked as an EMT and an ambulance driver for many years. She was especially proud of the day she brought two people back to life in one afternoon. She later retired from Patient Services at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Katie loved cooking for her family and friends and always made more food than was needed. She also enjoyed shopping, hunting for bargains, and traveling. Katie was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, and loved spending time with her grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 65 years, James Edward Thomas, whom she married on November 8, 1958, and who died on June 22, 2023; a grandson, Jon Brown; a great-granddaughter, Claire; her parents, Carl and Stella, nee Brewington, Hinkle; her brother, Pete Hinkle; a sister, Alma Luedloff; and Bill Hawthorne.
She is survived by her four children, James “Jimmy” (Tina) Thomas, Mari (Ken) Bertelsman, Nancy Brown, and Michael “Mike” Thomas; eight grandchildren, Ashley (Edward) Sczcepanski, Danielle (Jake) Schweiger, Taylour (Andy) Woesthaus, Brice (Carrie), David, Connor (Ashley), Savannah, and Donald; six great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Emmaline, Edward, Ember, Isabella and Ares; two sisters, Carolyn Dake and Marilyn (Greg) Gentemann; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis, MO, or St. Luke Catholic Church, or to St. Teresa Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at St. Luke Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at St. Luke Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Joseph Oganda officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
