Thomas A. Jacquay

Thomas A. Jacquay, 87, of Monroeville, Indiana, passed away Thursday evening, December 18, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Tom was born February 7, 1938, in Allen County, Indiana, to the late Alban F. Jacquay and Helen M. (Mourey) Jacquay. He was united in marriage to Helen L. Fox on September 1, 1962, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Haven, Indiana, and she survives.

Tom proudly served his country in the Indiana Air National Guard, deploying with the 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing to Chambley, France, in the early 1960s, and was honorably discharged. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Monroeville, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and American Legion Post #420 in Monroeville.

Tom was a 1956 graduate of Central Catholic High School in Ft. Wayne. Following his graduation, he attended Purdue University where he graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree. He retired from International Harvester/Navistar with 31 years of service as a Professional Engineer in 1994.

Tom was a lifelong learner…he valued learning new skills and knowledge. He was very artistic, which was evident in not only his professional career, but also in his retirement. He was challenged by woodworking and created many unique and beautiful projects that were shared with friends and family alike.

Tom and Helen were long-time winter residents in Florida, staying in the Fort Myers area. It was during this time that he was the President of the Men’s Club in the Thunderbird Community for many years. In addition to Florida, Tom was blessed to travel to many areas of the world, including Germany, France, Jamaica, and many areas of the Caribbean with frequent cruises. Every summer, the family would look forward to the annual fishing trip to Canada where the big one did not get away, he enjoyed over 50 years of fishing and making summer family memories at the family’s Blue Lake Cottage. But among the many cherished memories his family has of Tom, perhaps the best trait he will be remembered for will be his generous nature and showing the love of Christ through his actions. He volunteered at St. Rose Catholic Church and School, being part of the Pastoral Council and School Board. Being involved in his local community was also important to Tom as he coached baseball teams in Monroeville and volunteered at the Lee Memorial Hospital in Florida. He valued the time that he spent with his large family, including his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings. This involvement often included playing euchre and square dancing.

Survivors include his wife, Helen L. Jacquay of Monroeville; children Rhonda (Brian) Hockemeyer of Monroeville, Indiana; Ted (Andrea) Jacquay of Kendallville, Indiana; Jane (Nolan) Knight of Monroeville, Indiana; Amy (Tony) Collins of Hoagland, Indiana; Anita (Corey) Keppel of Monroeville, Indiana; and Andrew (Krista) Jacquay of Ponte Vedra, Florida; brothers and sisters Gerald (Carol) Jacquay, Regina (James) Bodette, Phyllis Jacquay, Carl Jacquay, Kate Stine, Paul (Mariann) Jacquay, Leonard (Judy) Jacquay, Dan (Sally) Jacquay, and Christine (Rod) Pranger; Fifteen Grandchildren: Cal (Stacie) Jacquay, Nathan Jacquay, Katelyn (Kyle) Dickelman, Emily (Adam) Hackett, Madeline Jacquay, Brenna (Zac) Bradley, Hailey (Roy) Burbridge, Isabel Knight, Jessica Collins, Jack (Avery) Knight, Lilly Knight, Dylan Collins, Thomson Keppel, Graham Jacquay, and Mila Jacquay; Seven Great Grandchildren: Charlotte Jacquay, Paxton Dickelman, Cooper Jacquay, Parker Dickelman, Maisie Knight, Baby Hackett and Baby Bradley arriving in 2026!! He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Neil Jacquay; twin sisters, Anita and Annette Jacquay, in infancy; and his sister-in-law, Carole Jacquay.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at St. Rose Catholic Church, Monroeville, with Father Dennis DiBenedetto officiating. Burial will follow at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery, Besancon with military honors being provided by the American Legion Post #420, Monroeville, Indiana.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel, Monroeville, where the Holy Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m.

Preferred memorials may be made to St. Rose Catholic School (AC Project), Monroeville EMS, or the donor’s choice.