Thayer (Newton County, IN)

Notable Births & Deaths for Thayer ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Thayer. Please note that while we are collecting data on an ongoing basis, it's a big task and it's unlikely that our list will ever be more than a sample.

Eleanor Stackhouse Atkinson (Author)
- She was born in Rensselaer (IN) on January 7, 1863 (a Wednesday) and died in Manhasset (NY) on November 4, 1942 (a Wednesday).
- Rensselaer is located in Jasper County and is 18 miles [29 km] to the southeast of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Manhasset is located in Nassau County, New York.
- At the time of her death, she was 79.
- She is buried at Weston Cemetery, located 18 miles [29 km] to the south southeast of Thayer. The cemetery is located in Jasper County, Indiana.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Eleanor Stackhouse Atkinson<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Weston Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Weston Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Weston Cemetery
Dennis James Biodrowski (Professional football)
- He was born in Gary (IN) on June 27, 1940 (a Thursday) and died in Fort Worth (TX) on October 20, 2014 (a Monday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Fort Worth is located in Tarrant County, Texas.
- At the time of his death, he was 74.
- He is buried at Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park, which is located in Tarrant County, Texas.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Dennis James Biodrowski<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park (TX) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park
Frank Borman (Astronaut, USAF, test pilot, aeronautical engineer)
- Full name: Frank Frederick Borman, II
- He was born in Gary (IN) on March 14, 1928 (a Wednesday) and died in Billings (MT) on November 7, 2023 (a Tuesday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Billings is located in Yellowstone County, Montana.
- At the time of his death, he was 95.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Frank Borman<1>
Lyman Wesley Bostock, Jr. (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Birmingham (AL) on November 22, 1950 (a Wednesday) and died in Gary (IN) on September 23, 1978 (a Saturday).
- Birmingham is located in Jefferson County, Alabama.
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 27.
- He is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Lyman Wesley Bostock, Jr.<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Inglewood Park Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Inglewood Park Cemetery (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Inglewood Park Cemetery
Andrew 'Rube' Foster (Professional baseball)
- He was born in Calvert (TX) on September 17, 1879 (a Wednesday) and died in Kankakee (IL) on December 9, 1930 (a Tuesday).
- Calvert is located in Robertson County, Texas.
- Kankakee is located in Kankakee County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 51.
- He is buried at Lincoln Cemetery, located 39 miles [62.8 km] to the north northwest of Thayer. The cemetery is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Andrew 'Rube' Foster<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Lincoln Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Lincoln Cemetery (IL) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Lincoln Cemetery
Willie Lee 'Galloping Gal' Galimore (Professional football)
- He was born in Saint Augustine (FL) on March 30, 1935 (a Saturday) and died in Rensselaer (IN) on July 27, 1964 (a Monday).
- Saint Augustine is located in Saint Johns County, Florida.
- Rensselaer is located in Jasper County and is 18 miles [29 km] to the southeast of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 29.
- He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery, which is located in Leon County, Florida.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Willie Lee 'Galloping Gal' Galimore<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Greenwood Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Greenwood Cemetery (FL) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Greenwood Cemetery
Harold Lincoln Gray (Cartoonist, creator of Little Orphan Annie)
- He was born in Kankakee (IL) on January 20, 1894 (a Saturday) and died in La Jolla (CA) on May 9, 1968 (a Thursday).
- Kankakee is located in Kankakee County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- La Jolla is located in San Diego County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 74.
- He is buried at Oakridge - Glen Oak Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Harold Lincoln Gray<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Oakridge - Glen Oak Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Oakridge - Glen Oak Cemetery (IL) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Oakridge - Glen Oak Cemetery
Philip 'Phil' Guy (Musician)
- He was born in Lettsworth (LA) on April 28, 1940 (a Sunday) and died in Chicago Heights (IL) on August 20, 2008 (a Wednesday).
- Lettsworth is located in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.
- Chicago Heights is located in Cook County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 68.
- He is buried at Homewood Memorial Gardens, located 31 miles [49.9 km] to the north northwest of Thayer. The cemetery is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Philip 'Phil' Guy<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Homewood Memorial Gardens
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Homewood Memorial Gardens (IL) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Homewood Memorial Gardens
Michael Jackson (Entertainer, musician, songwriter)
- Full name: Michael Joseph Jackson
- He was born in Gary (IN) on August 29, 1958 (a Friday) and died in West Los Angeles (CA) on June 25, 2009 (a Thursday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- West Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 50.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Michael Jackson<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
Tito Jackson (Musician)
- Full name: Toriano Adaryll Jackson
- He was born in Gary (IN) on October 15, 1953 (a Thursday) and died in Gallup (NM) on September 15, 2024 (a Sunday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Gallup is located in McKinley County, New Mexico.
- At the time of his death, he was 70.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Tito Jackson<1>
Ted Karras (Professional football)
- He was born in Gary (IN) on January 31, 1934 (a Wednesday) and died in Gary (IN) on January 26, 2016 (a Tuesday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 82.
- He is buried at Ridgelawn Cemetery, located 26 miles [41.8 km] to the north of Thayer. The cemetery is located in Lake County, Indiana.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Ted Karras<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Ridgelawn Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Ridgelawn Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Ridgelawn Cemetery
Theodore George 'Ted' Karras, Sr. (Professional football)
- He was born in Gary (IN) on January 31, 1934 (a Wednesday) and died in Gary (IN) on January 26, 2016 (a Tuesday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 82.
- He is buried at Ridgelawn Cemetery, located 26 miles [41.8 km] to the north of Thayer. The cemetery is located in Lake County, Indiana.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Theodore George 'Ted' Karras, Sr.<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Ridgelawn Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Ridgelawn Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Ridgelawn Cemetery
Merna Kennedy (Actress)
- Born: Maude Kahler
- She was born in Kankakee (IL) on September 7, 1908 (a Monday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on December 20, 1944 (a Wednesday).
- Kankakee is located in Kankakee County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of her death, she was 36.
- She is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Merna Kennedy<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Inglewood Park Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Inglewood Park Cemetery (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Inglewood Park Cemetery
Art LaFleur (Actor)
- He was born in Gary (IN) on September 9, 1943 (a Thursday) and died in North Hollywood (CA) on November 17, 2021 (a Wednesday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- North Hollywood is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 78.
- We don't have any burial details.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Art LaFleur<1>
Fred MacMurray (Actor)
- Full name: Frederick Martin MacMurray
- He was born in Kankakee (IL) on August 30, 1908 (a Sunday) and died in Santa Monica (CA) on November 5, 1991 (a Tuesday).
- Kankakee is located in Kankakee County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Santa Monica is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 83.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Fred MacMurray<1>
John Joseph Mescall, Sr. (Cinematographer, director)
- He was born in Litchfield (IL) on January 10, 1899 (a Tuesday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on February 10, 1962 (a Saturday).
- Litchfield is located in Kankakee County and is 13 miles [20.9 km] to the west of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 63.
- He is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for John Joseph Mescall, Sr.<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Inglewood Park Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Inglewood Park Cemetery (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Inglewood Park Cemetery
John Bevins Moisant (Aviation Pioneer)
- He was born in Kankakee (IL) on April 25, 1868 (a Saturday) and died in Kenner (LA) on December 31, 1910 (a Saturday).
- Kankakee is located in Kankakee County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Kenner is located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
- At the time of his death, he was 42.
- He is buried at Valhalla Memorial Park, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for John Bevins Moisant<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Valhalla Memorial Park (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Valhalla Memorial Park
Francis Xavier 'Big Jeff' Pfeffer (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Champaign (IL) on March 31, 1882 (a Friday) and died in Kankakee (IL) on December 19, 1954 (a Sunday).
- Champaign is located in Champaign County, Illinois.
- Kankakee is located in Kankakee County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 72.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Francis Xavier 'Big Jeff' Pfeffer<1>
Frank 'Son' Seals (Musician)
- He was born in Osceola (AR) on August 14, 1942 (a Friday) and died in Richton Park (IL) on December 20, 2004 (a Monday).
- Osceola is located in Mississippi County, Arkansas.
- Richton Park is located in Cook County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 62.
- He is buried at Homewood Memorial Gardens, located 31 miles [49.9 km] to the north northwest of Thayer. The cemetery is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Frank 'Son' Seals<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Homewood Memorial Gardens
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Homewood Memorial Gardens (IL) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Homewood Memorial Gardens
Nick 'Jumbo' Strincevich (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Gary (IN) on March 1, 1915 (a Monday) and died in Valparaiso (IN) on November 11, 2011 (a Friday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Valparaiso is located in Porter County and is 25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 96.
- He is buried at Calumet Park Cemetery, located 22 miles [35.4 km] to the north of Thayer. The cemetery is located in Lake County, Indiana.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Nick 'Jumbo' Strincevich<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Calumet Park Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Calumet Park Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Calumet Park Cemetery
Tony 'The Man of Steel' Zale (pa/bryn-mawr-xx-montgomery)
- Born: Anthony Florian Zaleski
- He was born in Gary (IN) on May 29, 1913 (a Thursday) and died in Portage (IN) on March 20, 1997 (a Thursday).
- Gary is located in Lake County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- Portage is located in Porter County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Thayer (which is located in Newton County).
- At the time of his death, he was 83.
- He is buried at Calvary Cemetery, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the north northeast of Thayer. The cemetery is located in Porter County, Indiana.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Tony 'The Man of Steel' Zale<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Calvary Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Calvary Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Thayer to Calvary Cemetery

Footnotes ...

<1>	The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.