Thomas Alvin Gropp Sr. 80, went to be with his Lord on Friday afternoon, January 3, 2025 in the comfort of his home surrounded by love and his family. Thomas was born on October 26, 1944 in Mishawaka to the late Ralph Harvey Gropp and Fern Eleanor (Balmer) Gropp. Thomas graduated from Penn High School in 1962 and heard the call of duty. He joined the United States Army from 1963 until his honorable discharge in 1966 and also served in the Army National Guard until 1969. He was trained as a Missileman, but also was an expert marksman, and was so good he was asked to try out for the Olympic Shooting Team. Thomas turned them down.

While working at Putnam Motors, he met a beautiful young lady named Kathryn E. Loper; they were married on October 19, 1968. Surviving is his loving wife of 56 years, Kathryn E. Gropp; two children, Thomas A. (Barbara) Gropp Jr., Sherriann (Ty) Gard; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren whom he adored, Josephine (Matthew) Stankovsky, Tommy Gropp III, Maria Gropp, Daniel Gropp, John Gropp, Christian Gropp, Evelyn Gropp, Bethany Gropp, Gianna Gropp, Joseph Gard, Emilian Gard and great-grandchildren Theresa and Dominic Stankovsky. Also surviving is a sister, Emmy (Joe) Bokon, sister-in-law Clarann Gropp, and his Goddaughter, Erin Criswell. He was sadly preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jerry Lester Gropp.

Thomas was a very hard worker and a great provider to his family. He formerly worked at Gates Chevrolet, Putnam Volkswagen, B & R Manufacturing, and as assistant parts manager at Holiday World. He worked for a brief time at the family business, Gropp's Famous Fish of Stroh.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St. Elkhart. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until Mass time. Reverend Logan Parrish will officiate.  Military honors by the United States Army Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart Veterans Honor Guard will be rendered outside the church immediately after the Mass. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

The family kindly requests memorial donations to St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, Riley Children's Foundation, PO Box 3356, Indianapolis, IN 46206, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Envelopes will be provided.

Condolences may be made online at www.billingsfuneralhome.com