Barney Thomas Thompson, of Plainfield, died at his home February 20, 2023. He was 67.

Born August 14, 1955, in Aalen, Germany, he was the son of Barney Ralph Thompson and Heidi Marie Kaser. Barney grew up in Indianapolis and Whiteland, Indiana, graduating from Whiteland Community High School in 1973. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served overseas in Germany.

After completing military service, Barney returned to Indianapolis and received a Master of Library Science degree from Indiana University. There, he met his future wife, Rita Angela Gurdian, whom he married in 1988. Barney worked as a reference librarian at the Indiana State Library until an early retirement due to disability. He received a successful liver transplant in 2001 and survived the Hepatitis C virus.

Barney was a brilliant man who had many talents and interests. In his younger days, he enjoyed playing sports (especially wrestling), fishing, and traveling to state and national parks for camping and outdoor activities. Barney's main passion was genealogical research, which he continued throughout his life. In 1995, he published a comprehensive book tracing his paternal ancestral line back to the 18th century.

Survivors include his sisters, Anne Taylor of Indianapolis, Carmen Reichard of Byrdstown, Tenn. and husband Ron, Darlene Paradise and husband Mike of Morgantown; wife Rita Thompson of Avon; daughter Lauren Lamb and husband Mike of Carmel; son Brian Thompson of Indianapolis; and grandchildren Elise, Adam, Abigail, and Ian Lamb.

The family has arranged for a visitation for Barney to be held from 11 am - 12 pm on Monday, February 27, at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 17102 Spring Mill Road, Westfield, Ind. 46074. The funeral Mass will then follow at the church, with Fr. Kevin Haines presiding. Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood will be Barney's final resting place.