Dale E. "Butch" Thomas

Dale E. “Butch” Thomas, age 89, of Woods Edge Drive, Bloomsburg died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 25, 2024, at the Emmanuel Center for Nursing in Danville.

Born in Orangeville on December 30, 1934, he was one of 13 children of the late Harold D. and Margaret J. (Hartman) Thomas. His early life was spent in Orangeville and he attended the Orangeville Schools before graduating from the former Scott Township High School in Espy in 1952.

Butch was a longtime faithful member of Shiloh Bible Church where he served in many capacities including congregational song leader, singing in the choir, Elder and Deacon.

He also belonged to and was a life member of the Orangeville Sportsmen’s Club and Orangeville Fire Co.. Butch also played baseball for the Orangeville team in the Tri County League for many years.

Butch resided in Bloomsburg from 1963 to 1995, when he moved to Orange Township.

He was one of the founders of the Columbia Montour Chapter of SPEBSQSA (barbershoppers), where he sang with the group and directed it for over 50 years. He also organized and sang with several quartets over the years and assisted in organizing local shows for many years.

Butch was also involved with the national Barbershoppers group and held several offices, including serving as a judge of stage presence and presentation. He was honored as Barbershopper of the year on three occasions and by being inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Hall of Fame. He sang and coached throughout the U. S. and Canada.

Butch proudly served his country by serving with the U. S. Army Signal Corps from 1957 to1959, where he was stationed at Camp Hanford near Seattle, Washington.

The Thomas family took annual vacations in the Thousand Islands for 40 years.

He operated a beauty shop at his home until 1995. He was employed as a beautician by Danville State Hospital from 1972 to 1994, when he retired. 

Butch worked at the Bloomsburg Fair for many years, first for his sister Doris at her “Happy Spot” stand selling potato pancakes and pierogies and in later years he was the apple peeler at Vance’s Apple Dumpling Stand.

His other jobs included working for his brother-in-law, Donald Kocher, at Kocher’s Masonry and also at the former Hock’s Auction Service. For over 50 years he assisted at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Homes and made many transfers with his wife, Bernice as his navigator.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers: Paul Thomas, Hervey R. Thomas, Donald V. Thomas, David H. Thomas and John R. Thomas; and by six sisters: Dorothy Creveling, Mary Kocher, Deanna Stauffer, Shirley Bower, Doris Creveling, and Roselyn Smith.

Butch is survived by his wife, the former Bernice Kocher, with whom he observed their 68th wedding anniversary on August 18, 2024; a daughter, Laurie, wife of Michael G. Wallace of Bloomsburg; a son, Jay “JP” Thomas and his wife Sheree of Harrisburg; four grandchildren: Megan Thomas, Elizabeth Thomas, Michael J. Wallace and his wife Sarah, Juliann, wife of Herbert Shannon; three great-grandchildren: Finley Shannon, Baylor Shannon, Jack Shannon; a sister, Helen Ann, wife of Dale M. Davis of Bloomsburg; two sisters-in-law: Kay Thomas, of Lancaster and Charlotte Thomas, of Bloomsburg; and a brother-in-law, Carl Stauffer, of Bloomsburg and many nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at 11 a. m. in Shiloh Bible Church, 123 Church St., Bloomsburg (Almedia) with his pastor, Rev. Dr. Douglas H. Lyon and Pastor Ken Paulhamus officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Orangeville.

Viewing will be on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, from 2-4 p. m.at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg and on Monday from 10-11 a. m. at Shiloh Bible Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Shiloh Bible Church Missions Fund, 123 Church St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815.