Obituary of Charles J. Thomas

THOMAS – Charles J. III, 40, Mount Juliet, Tenn., formerly of Ebensburg, died July 20, 2011, as a result of a boat drowning accident at Old Hickory Lake in Mount Juliet. Born June 9, 1971, in Altoona, son of Charles and Barbara A. (Whitcore) Thomas. Preceded in death by mother; paternal grandfather, Charles J. Thomas, killed in action during World War II; steppaternal grandfather, Paul H. McGuire; and maternal grandparents, Edward and Catherine Whitcore. Survived by father and stepmother, Donna Thomas, Ebensburg; sisters, Mellissa Yeckley and Michelle Rietscha, both of Ebensburg; grandmother, Donna McGuire, Tucson, Ariz.; also special little buddy, Dagan. Also survived by numerous aunts and uncles and a band of brothers. He graduated from Central Cambria High School, Class of 1990, and attended Penn State University. Former car salesman for Thomas Chevrolet, McConnellsburg. Navy veteran and served in the first Gulf War. Friends will be received from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg, where vigil wake service will be held Sunday. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Name Catholic Church, Ebensburg, the Rev. Monsignor Arnold L. Gaus. Committal, St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Gallitzin.