Ronald C. Thoma

Ronald C. Thoma, 74, of Chicora, went peacefully to be with the Lord while in the company of his loving wife of 50 years on Saturday afternoon, July 18, 2020 at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Ron was born in Butler on May 18, 1946.  He was the son of the late Clair G. and Betty L. Nyberg Thoma.

He was a 1964 graduate of Fairview Twp. Karns City High School and was a lifelong member of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora where he had served as an usher.  Ron’s family was the most important part of his life.  He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed.  Ron was an avid and skilled outdoorsman who most especially enjoyed fishing, hunting, and trapping with his family. Ron also enjoyed spending family time at camp in Benezette, Elk County.  He was a long time member of the PA Trappers Association.

Ron had been employed at Pullman Standard in Butler and retired from AK Steel in 2008.

He is survived by his wife, Gail E. Northime Thoma, whom he married at Mater Dolorosa Church on August 22, 1970.  Also surviving are two children, Theresa M. Whitmire and her husband, Michael, of Karns City and Joseph R. Thoma (Aimee Miller) of Chicora; two grandchildren, Joshua M. Whitmire and Megan L. Whitmire of Karns City; a sister, Kathy Brown and her husband, Dennis, of Karns City; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James “Jim” Northime of Chicora, Arlene Wonsey and her husband, Dennis, of Erving, MA, William “Bill” Northime of Chicora, Catherine “Katie” Krason and her husband, Robert “Bob” of Butler, Denny Northime and Brian Northime, both of Chicora, Pam Rob and her husband, Steve, of Karns City, and Donna Bricker of Karns City; a sister-in-law, Cindy Northime of Cowansville, as well as a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Jean Caldwell and four brothers-in-law, Tommy, John, Nick, and Robert “Bob” Northime, and a number of aunts, uncles, and two nieces.

Private visitation and a blessing service were held Monday at the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City with the Rev. Louis Pascazi, parochial vicar at Mater Dolorosa, officiating.  Interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery in North Oakland.  Memorial contributions may be made to Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora, PO Box 243, Chicora, PA 16025 or the Keystone Elk Country Alliance, 134 Homestead Dr., Benezette, PA 15821.  Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

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