Michael R. Thalls, 84, of New Castle passed away Friday morning, July 8, 2022. He was born February 12, 1938 in New Castle, a son of the late Russell Eugene and Mary Helen (Valentine) Thalls.
A 1956 graduate of New Castle High School, Mike attended New Mexico Western University on a golf scholarship before returning to New Castle. He also attended Ball State University. Mike started his insurance business going door to door, and guided it to be one of the largest insurance agencies in Henry County. He was recognized with many awards throughout his career. Mike and his son Todd were awarded the New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in 2010. He loved his work. He took his relationship with his customers very seriously, often recognizing that he was selling “a piece of paper and promise.”
Mike still holds the Westwood Golf Club course record of 29, for nine holes (with a bogey). He coached Little League basketball for over 22 years. He mentored many young athletes who still called him “Coach” many years later. Mike was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and was thrilled when they won the 2016 World Series Championship. He also loved the annual trips to Spring Training with his sons and grandchildren.
Mike served 7 terms on the Henry County Council, where he assumed a variety of leadership roles. He was always one of the leading vote getters in the county. He was proud to be a voice to help those he represented. At his final council meeting on December 19, 2019, Mike was awarded the Circle of Corydon, the second highest award the Governor of Indiana can grant to a citizen.
Mike was a man of faith. He and Terrie have been longtime members of First United Methodist Church. God, their church and their friends at FUMC were an integral part of their lives.
It is no secret that Mike’s proudest accomplishment was his family-he was a family man first. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Terrie Thalls of New Castle; five children, Todd Thalls of New Castle, Tom (Amy) Thalls of Seward, NE, Tona Thalls of New Castle, Trisha Thalls of New Castle, Traci (Michael) Chalk of Ft. Myers, FL; two stepdaughters, Stacey (David) Sadler of New Castle and Stefanie (Tom) Jeffers of Fishers; grandchildren, Tiffany (Nate) Murdoch of Grand Island, NE, Brittany (Landon) Sanchez of Lincoln, NE, Breanne (Jeremy) Lenning of Seward, NE, Emily (Chase) Stephenson of Pendleton, Ellen (Herbert) Ice of Newport News, VA, Kerrigan (Joey) Thompson of New Castle, Grayson Chalk and Cade Chalk, both of Ft. Myers, FL, Lauren Perkins of Zionsville, Megan Perkins of Carmel, Brennan Sadler of New Castle, Shelby (Jimmy) Gruver of PA, Haleigh Jeffers of Fishers; fifteen great grandchildren; a brother, Jim (Diane) Thalls of New Castle; two nieces, Amy Hill of Columbia, MO and Ann Keihn of New Castle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Eugene and Mary Helen (Valentine) Thalls, and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Valentine.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday, July 15, 2022 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Funeral services will be private for the family with burial following in South Mound Cemetery-West Lawn Addition. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Henry County Community Foundation, Flex Fund, 700 S. Memorial Dr., New Castle, IN 47362 or www.henrycountycf.org. Condolences and memories of Mike may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com.