About Me

I was born in Warsaw, Indiana. I graduated from Mentone High School, Mentone, Indiana in 1968. I attended Cedarville College, Cedarville, Ohio for 2 years and received my bachelor’s degree from Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana in 1972. I taught first grade in the North Miami School District for 3 years. I received my Master’s degree from Indiana University, Ft. Wayne campus, in 1976 then attended Valparaiso University School of Law in 1989-90 and received my Juris Doctorate in 1992 from the University Of Akron School Of Law. I was admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 1992.

I began practicing law in Mansfield, Ohio in 1992. In 2003, I became the first elected Law Director for the City of Ontario. I held this position through 2009 when I did not seek reelection. The majority of my practice is in Probate Court.

I have been a member of the Habitat for Humanity Board and Leadership Unlimited, a member and past President of the Ontario Rotary Club, and I am a current member of the Richland County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. I am a member of Awake Church (formerly First Church of God) in Shelby where I teach the elementary school aged church class and serve on the Leadership Team.

I married Gary Thomas in 1973 and we have three adult daughters, Kris Thomas, Kendra Ingle, and Kasey Rader, and ten grandchildren.