Thomas

Robert E. Thomas, 82, formerly of Mercer Road in Butler; Twelve Oaks in Sanford Fla.; Newhaven Court of Center Township, and Saxony Health Center in Saxonburg, was called to his Eternal Home with our Lord and Savior at 1:25 p.m. Thursday at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center hospice care.

Born in Butler on Sept. 26, 1925, he was the son of Earl Snee Thomas and Olga Meier Thomas.

He was a veteran of the Merchant Marines, serving during World War II. Mr. Thomas was a charter member and the first lay leader of Christ Community United Methodist Church, and he was a charter member of Mercer Road Fire Company. While living in Florida, he was ordained as an elder in the Upsala Presbyterian Church in 2001.

Mr. Thomas retired from Pullman Standard where he was the district sales manager.

He was active in the community were he served as a scoutmaster for Troop 13 for five years, and he spent 15 years on the Butler Township Water and Sewer Authority. He was a life member of the Pittsburgh Traffic Club, and was a member of Miller Lodge 769 F. &A.M., the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of New Castle and an officer of the American Rabbit Breeders Association and Butler Rabbit Club.

Surviving are three sons, Robert E. Thomas Jr. and Terry L. Thomas, both of Butler, and Barry D. Thomas of Slippery Rock; two daughters, Connie Shatz of Rockford, Mich., and Cathie York of Leesburg, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Audrey Deer Thomas, who died in 2001. They were married for 58 years.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Earl, and one grandson, Scott R. Thomas.

<B>THOMAS — </B>There will be a memorial service for Robert E. Thomas, who died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Christ Community United Methodist Church, 205 N. Duffy Road, with Rev. Lisa Grant officiating.In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to Christ Community United Methodist Church, 205 N. Duffy Road Butler, PA 16001.Arrangements are being made by <B>THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME </B>and information is available at www.thompson-miller.com.