Martha Esther Loss Thomas, 86, went to be with her Lord peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her home in Mifflinburg, at 8:20 a. m. Sunday, July 4, 2004.
She was born October 20, 1917, in Lewis Township, Union County, PA, a daughter of the late Henry Allen and Sadie Cora Shemory Loss.
On December 29, 1936, she married Paul Albert Thomas who preceded her in death, January 5, 1985.
Early in life she worked at a sewing factory in New Berlin and at the Milton Meat Packing Plant. She also assisted on their family farm and worked as a nurses aide at the former Friendly Nursing Home, Rural Millmont, now known as Rolling Hills Manor.
She attended Mountain Road God's Missionary Church at Penns Creek. Mrs. Thomas thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her family. She was an avid reader, enjoyed jig saw puzzles, the out of doors and especially loved traveling.
She is survived by 5 daughters. Rachel Marie Beachel and her husband Richard of Rural Danville, Lena Rebecca Susan and her husband Dennis of Mifflinburg, Ruby Ann Mitch and her husband Edgar of Laurelton, Carolyn Jean Susan and her husband Samuel of Rural Mifflinburg, and Miriam Elizabeth Witmer and her husband Donald of Rural Millmont; 1 Sister Grace Alberta Kuhns of Rural Mifflinburg; 15 grandchildren, Roger Stroup, Linda Pronkoski, Diane Miller, Darla Grove, Timothy Stroup, Richard Beachel,Jr., Stacy Derk, Chadwick Susan, Glen and Derek Liddington, Tristan Susan, Jeremy, Joshua, Jevin and Justin Witmer; 17 Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Ruth Amanda Fisher, a granddaughter Crystal Stroup, and 6 sisters and brothers, Edna Napp, George Loss, Bright Loss, Marie Rowe, Jonathan Loss, and Mary Moyer.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the staff and employees of Sun Hospice and the caregivers at UCP for their excellent support and help in this difficult time.
Friends will be received from 6 - 9 p. m. Saturday, July 17, 2004 and from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p. m. Sunday, at the Mountain Road God's Missionary Church, 603 Mountain Road, just off Raspberry St. off State Route 104 in Penns Creek, PA. The funeral will be at 2:30 p. m. Sunday, July 18, 2004, at the church, with the Rev Alan Walter, Officiating.
Burial will be at the Beavertown God's Missionary Church Cemetery, Creek Road Middleburg, PA
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Road God's Missionary Church, 603 Mountain Road, Penns Creek, PA 17862, Sun Home Hospice, 61 Duke St., Northumberland, PA 17857, or UCP 212, Walnut St. Sunbury, PA 17801.
A guest book can be signed at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com by clicking on obituaries the by typing in or clicking on the name Thomas. Arrangements are under the direction of Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA 16828