Noel R. Thomas

BARBERTON----Noel R. Thomas, 84, passed away June 4, 2010 at the Hospice Care Center. Noel was born in Barberton where he was a life long resident. He was a 29 year veteran of the Barberton Police Department, retiring in 1979. Noel graduated in the first summer school at Barberton High in 1943 and served in the US Army during WWII in the Philippines and New Guinea. He loved gardening, wine making, a good meal and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was lauded as a hero at the age of 12 when he saved his 3 year old sister Helen from a house fire. Noel was preceded in death by his son Gary. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris; son and daughter-in-law Timothy and Diane; daughters and sons-in-law Gail and Dale Holgate and Susan and Robert Pettitt; daughter-in-law Judy Thomas; 12 grandchildren; Brian (Tara) Thomas, Stephanie (Ryan) Stecz, Kate Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Amanda (Doug) Chambers, Maura Rider, Stacie Pettitt, Kaleigh, Jesse and Emma Thomas, Dawn (Kevin) Turner and Dianna (Brian) Wilson; 9 great-grandchildren, Brittany, Brad and Ben Thomas, Lexi and Lily Chambers, Tommy and Regan Stecz, Kylie Rider and Siri Turner; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen and Bill Adair and Martha and James Cosgrove, nieces, nephews, cousins, caring neighbors Susan and Brian Jamison and loving caregiver Rachel Rego. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, Norton. Rev. James Maloney celebrant. Interment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Calling Hours Tuesday from 5-8 PM at the SILVA-HOSTETLER FUNERAL HOME, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton, where prayers will be said Wednesday morning at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.