Thomas Bemis Iii

On 4 May 2019 Thomas Bemis III was taken home to the Lord.  Tom was a resident in Carolina Village in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  Tom was born in Indianapolis, Indiana but grew up on a farm near Allegan Michigan.  During WWII Tom joined the Navy, then, transitioned to the USMC Reserves.  Tom was a co-pilot for the USMC version of the B-25 called the PBJ.  He flew missions in the south Pacific as part of VMB-413 who were nicknamed the Shamrocks or Night Heckers.  After the war he attended Butler University at Indianapolis, Indiana.  While at Butler, Tom participated in the Greek System as a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and served as treasurer for the YMCA, Sphinx, and UTES clubs.  Tom was also a member of the Alpha Delta Sigma national honorary fraternity.  Tom met Joanna “Jenny” Bemis while at Butler.  They were married after graduation and shared 68 wonderful years together.  Tom sold life insurance for Peoples Life Insurance before starting his own Independent Insurance Agency in Dixon, Illinois. While in Dixon, Tom was active in the Lions, Masons, and Elks clubs which served the community.  Tom and Jenny made their home in Dixon for 38 years before moving to the Hendersonville – Flat Rock area in 1989 and enjoyed 30 years there.  While in the area, Tom and Jenny thoroughly enjoyed their mountain home at the end of Pheasant Run and all the people along the way.  Tom enjoyed playing bridge, golf, and exercise.  Tom and Jenny were members of the First UMC of Hendersonville.  Tom was a resident of Carolina Village for 8 years.

Tom was always known to many as a nice person, a positive individual who was very devoted to Jenny or any task that he put his mind to.

Tom is survived by his sons Thomas M. Bemis, Arlington, MA, Tim (Betty) Bemis, Indianapolis, IN, Grandchildren, Sara Bemis, Alex and Emily Voerman, and Benjamin Bemis, Chicago, Il.

There will be a graveside service in Washington Park East Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana on Monday, 13 May at 11:30 AM.

A memorial service will be held at Carolina Village in Hendersonville, North Carolina in the Village Hall, on June 3 at 2 PM.