Frank Thomas and Liberata “Lee” Thomas, Girard, Ohio

GIRARD, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Frank Thomas and Liberata “Lee” Thomas have gone home to be with their Lord. They had been inseparable for 70 years. Their bond of love for each other was so strong that they could not be apart from each other, not even for a day and both departed from this world on Monday, October 7, 2024.

Frank was born in Youngstown on June 29, 1929, to his parents, Christy and Maria Thomas.

He proudly served his country in the Korean War and was drafted into the U.S. Army on January 15, 1951 and served his basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, earning himself the rank of PFC. He served in Germany with the 690 ^th Field Artillery and was transferred to the Army Reserve on December 21, 1952.

Lee was born October 15, 1925 in Bugnara, Prov. L’ Aquila, Italy to her parents, Francesco and Maria Iandimarino.

While serving in Europe Frank and Lee met and fell in love; they were married in Italy on February 21, 1954. He was later Honorably Discharged on December 11, 1956.

Frank worked for Youngstown Sheet & Tube – LTV Steel for 32 years before working as an STNA for Diamondhead Nursing Home and Heritage Manor until his retirement in 1991. Lee also worked for Diamondhead Nursing Home as a laundry aide.

They were both members of Saint Anthony of Padua Church where they worked spaghetti dinners, made pizza and Easter Bread and cleaned and decorated the church at Christmas time. Frank was also a member of the church choir and Lee was a member of their Altar & Rosary Society. They belonged to the church’s senior citizen group where he served as vice president.

They both enjoyed their bus trips to the casinos. This is also where he won The People’s Choice Award and second place for his cooking. He has won blue ribbons at the Canfield Fair for the wreaths and wedding boxes that he made. Frank was a lifelong member of the Marine Corps League where he was active in Toys 4 Tots, and former member of the Girard VFW, the American Legion, the Air Force Association, and the Bugnarese Men’s Society. He enjoyed dancing, grilling, and fine wine as well as Western Movies and Country Music while Lee enjoyed cooking, watching the Cooking Channel, and yearly trips to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Cleveland. She was a member of the Bugnarese Ladies Society. Together they enjoyed gardening and canning.

Lee was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and Frank was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Their grandchildren were their pride and joy and they loved doting over them.

Lee would always prepare a meal for anyone who came to their house and made sure that no one ever left their home hungry and Frank would tell everyone to eat because there wasn’t a cash register at the door. He always had a smile on his face and was ready with a joke to share.

They are survived by their three daughters, Maria (Joe) Orr of Girard, Patty Thomas of Boardman with whom they made their home and Teresa (Brian) Betts of Ashtabula; their grandchildren, Conner (Sydney) Witherow of Cleveland and Zachary and Madeline Witherow of Columbiana; his brother, Dominic (Nancy) Thomas of California and sisters, Evelyn Simboli, Alma Colangelo, both of California, Jean Marino of Nevada, Marlene Necastro of Arizona and Diana (Lanny) Amper of California; her sister-in-law, Ida Iandimarino; her niece, Maria and nephew, Francesco Iandimarino and his family in Italy and many nieces and nephews and former son-in-law, Ken Witherow.

They were preceded in death by their parents; his brothers, Cross, Christy and Emil Thomas; his sisters, Nicolina DiTommaso, Jennie Thomas, Sylvia Meser and Concetta and Giovanna, who died at birth and her brother, Domenico Iandimarino.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to their granddaughter, Madeline Witherow, Brenda Campbell, the nurses from Ohio Living Hospice and Hospice of the Valley – Hospice House, and the staff from Mercy Health Boardman, ICU, 4 West and 5 South units for the wonderful care given to Frank and Lee.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Schiavone Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024, followed by Burial with Military Honors at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown.

Please visit www.schiavonefh.com to share condolences.

A television tribute will air Sunday, October 13 at the following approximate times: 6:27 p.m. on WYTV and 6:58 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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