Charles D. Thomas

Charles D. “Chuck” Thomas, 91, of Findlay, Ohio and formerly of Tiffin, Ohio, died at 12:11 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Birchaven Village in Findlay.

Chuck was born on November 11, 1930 in Cumberland, Maryland to the late Bruce E. and Edith (Snavely) Thomas. He was raised in Turtle Creek, PA., one of nine children. He married Dorothy Jean Smith on December 9, 1950 and she survives. To that union of 72 years was born eight children; six of which survive; Cynthia (Douglas) Colgate of Fostoria, Ohio, Charles C. (Rebecca) Thomas of Richmond, Texas, Kim (Patti) Thomas of Findlay, Carlene Hitchcock of Tiffin, Candace (Johnny) Ange of Durham, North Carolina, and Jacque (Randy) Groves of Melmore, Ohio; also surviving are 24 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a daughter Sheree D. Patterson in 1997 and a son Steven C. Thomas in 2021.

He is also survived by two sisters, Judy (Jim deceased) Pellegrino and Gloria (Kenneth) Bader of Pittsburgh, PA, and a daughter-in-law Lori Thomas of Festus, Missouri.

Chuck was preceded in death by siblings, Gladys (Richard) Kidston, Bruce (Rose) Thomas, twin brother Clair (Gloria) Thomas, Shirley (Rich) Verner, Burnace (Paul) Tharp,  and Frances (Al) Czyz.

Chuck was employed by Isaly’s Dairy Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania right out of high school, sweeping floors. He eventually worked his way up to be a store manager. Later he was made a district supervisor for stores in western Pennsylvania and the Cleveland, Ohio suburbs. In 1965 he became manager of the Isaly’s store in the Westgate Shopping Center in Tiffin and moved his wife and eight children to Tiffin, Ohio. In 1970  he purchased the store and it was renamed Thomas’ Cafeteria, which he ran until 1997. He also ran The Thomas Shoppe in downtown Tiffin for several years.  He later was a greeter at the Tiffin Walmart Store for many years well into his eighties.

He enjoyed collecting and restoring old cars and going to flea markets in his spare  time. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and an active member of the Zenobia Shriners Club.

All visitation and services will be private at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue; Findlay, Ohio 45840. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Tiffin, Ohio.

Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.

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