Dena Thomas

Dena Thomas, 60, of (Marion) Brownsburg, IN, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Born on Saturday, February 12, 1966, Dena was the daughter of Diana “DeeDee” and Herman “Bud” Wiecking, both of Marion. She grew up playing softball at the local PAL Club, swimming and golfing at The Elks Lodge and attending yearly summer camps with her childhood friends. She graduated with honors from Marion High School (Class of 1984) and later attended Indiana Wesleyan University where she studied English and Accounting.

Dena worked briefly for the Grant County Sherrif’s Department before relocating to Brownsburg, IN, taking a position at the Indiana Girls’ School as a Guard, earning certifications in Hostage Crisis Negotiation, Crisis Management, and Leadership Development. She spent 18 years of service with the Indiana Department of Corrections at the Indiana Women’s Prison and Girls’ School Academy, which included working with juveniles and adults who were incarcerated. From this experience, she volunteered in tandem with prisoners in collaboration with She4Life as a devoted volunteer, supporting and advocating for Breast Cancer Awareness & Survivors. She later found her passion working with children, adolescents and adults with disabilities as a Job Coach with Gateway Residential Services in Indianapolis. There she worked tirelessly to advocate for and train those in her care to find meaningful and gainful employment for their future independence and success. In this role, she was integral in the development and execution of an annual fashion show for adults and children with disabilities, which became a successful annual fundraiser for the community she cherished. She expanded her love for people with disabilities when she joined The Applied Behavior Center in Indianapolis and surrounding counties in 2015 and served as Regional Branch Manager, overseeing 13 center locations for 9 years. Her passion and dedication for children with Autism continued when she became the Quality Assurance Director for Alphabet Soup ABA in February 2025, which she held until her death. Dena was known for her passion, devotion, and knowledge in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She was a straight shooter while treating people with dignity and respect in all she did. Her decade of experience caring for children with Autism has left a profound impact on the lives she touched and will forever be remembered for her infectious smile, laughter, and strong leadership while demonstrating a servant’s heart.

When asked about her work she would say, “I love to celebrate the success of our children when a challenge is overcome and new skills are acquired.” Her hidden talent was her ability for left-handed cursive, backwards handwriting.

Dena was passionate about her volunteer work for both the She4Life Foundation and The Colleen Harrigan Foundation for Children with Autism, making lasting impacts within fields she worked in and with everyone she encountered. Dena was an avid sports fan and passionate about the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. She enjoyed girls’ trips with both friends and family, working in her yard, painting anything and everything in her house and hanging out most nights in her garage with her neighborhood besties for 25 years.

Dena is survived by her mother, Diana Wiecking; siblings Stephenie (Will) Jackson of Marion, Beth Duncan of Truckee, CA, Brent (Andrea) Wiecking of Reno, NV, and Casey Riggs of Marion; nieces and nephews: Payton (Brownsburg), Emerson (Marion), Jade Thomas, Rachel, Matt, Piper, Eli, Tayne, Beckham and Iylah; aunts, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Herman “Bud” Wiecking, Grandmother, Colleen Harrigan and aunt, Marsha Harrigan.

A memorial visitation for Dena will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Raven Choate Robinson Funeral Home, 1202 W. Kem Rd, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

A celebration of life will follow afterwards at The Elks Lodge, 1100 E Bond Avenue, from 3:00 PM to 6:00PM.

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Memorial contributions may be made to The Colleen Harrigan Foundation for Children with Autism https://www.colleenharriganfoundation.com in Dena’s memory to build a fund to provide for the children and families she served for over a decade.