Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

 

SBT 10/6/2007

 

Surnames:  Fehrenbach – Glaser – Mitsch – Robinson

Cemetery:  Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka

Military:  US Army March 13, 1943 – August 1945, 94th Division, European Theatre under Gen George Patton

 

Thomas J. Glaser

January 4, 1924 – October 4, 2007

 

MISHAWAKA – Thomas Joseph Glaser, 83, of Fountainview Nursing Home, Mishawaka IN, formerly of Bellaire OH, passed away on October 4, 2007.

 

Born in Bellaire OH on January 4, 1924, he was the youngest son and thirteenth child of Charles and Otilia (Fehrenbach) Glaser who preceded him in death.  He was also preceded in death by all of his brothers and sisters including Paul, Herbert, Charles, Albert, Richard, Frances, Lenhard, Clare, Catharine, Sister Catharine Clare (Margaret), Evelyn Mitsch and Mary Ellen Robinson.

 

On May 8, 1946, Tom married the love of his life, Betty Lee Ford, at St John’s Catholic Church in Bellaire.  Betty and their seven children, Jane Mason, Mishawaka IN; Mary Lou (Ray)Cressy, Mishawaka IN; Susan (Michael) Spadafora of Richboro PA; Rebecca (Michael) Muhlenkakmp, Greenville OH; Charles (Susan) West Chester PA; Richard (Molly) Greensburg IN and Robert (Dawn) Holly Springs, NC survive.  Tom also has 20 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  He also leaves behind his sisters-in-law, Margo Glaser, Wheeling WV; Gertrude Glaser, St Louis MO; Dorothy Glaser Healy, Peach Tree City GA; Marge Ford, Canton OH; and brother-in-law, Jim (Ann) Ford.  Special friends for many years include Fr. Walter Heinz, Monsignor Paul Metzger and Father David Gaydosik, as well as Sonia and Mike Wilson, Debbit Dodds and Kay Hill.

 

After graduating from St John Central High School in 1940, Tom worked at Blaw Knox in Martins Ferry OH, until he entered the US Army on March 13, 1943.  After basic training, Tom was sent to Army Specialized Training Program School at the University of Mississippi.  When that program disbanded in 1944, he was sent to the European Theatre and served in the 94th division under General George Patton.  He received an honorable discharge in August of 1945.  After the war, Tom worked for the US Post Office in Bellaire.  He was commissioned Post Master by President Richard Nixon and kept that office until he retired in 1979.  Tom was active in his church as an Eucharistic Minister, Lector and member of the Parish Counsel.  He served as the first President of the Home & School Association for St John Grade School and was on the School Board of St John Central High School.  He was a member of Post 0052 of the American Legion for more than 60 years.  Tom was passionately devoted to his family.  He was always home for his wife and children and spent hundreds of nights doing math homework or hearing spelling words.  He attended Little League baseball games, high school basketball games, Girl Scout Dad-Daughter dinners and high school plays.  He made sure that all seven of his children graduated from college. Tom was a man of unwavering faith.  In his final days, even as his body and mind failed him, he prayed aloud and responded to the prayers being said around him.

 

Friends may call from 5 to 8pm with an 8pm vigil service on Sunday, October 7th, in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W 8th Street, Mishawaka.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, October 8th at 10:30am, with visitation one our prior to the service in St Pius X Catholic Church, Granger IN.  Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka, with military burial rites by VFW Post 360 and American Legion 161 burial team.

 

The family wishes to thank all the loving caregivers both at St Joseph Regional Medical Center and Fountainview Nursing Home for all the care and affection they showed Tom over the last few years.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Thomas & Elizabeth Glaser Scholarship Fund at St. John Grade School, PO Box 12167, Raleigh NC 27605-2167.