Obituary of Kermit Thomas

THOMAS - Kermit Bennett, 92 of Cambria Twp., Ebensburg, passed away July 13, 2012 at Haida Manor, Hastings. Born on the family farm in Cambria Twp., November 26, 1919, son of George R. and Harriet Mary (Bennett) Thomas. The last surviving member of his immediate family, he is preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Ruth Enid and brother Clinton Arthur Thomas. Survived by numerous cousins. A graduate of the Ebensburg-Cambria High School, he attended Penn State’s Dairy School and returned to the farm to partner in the family business, Thomas Dairy, with his brother Art. Kermit was a lifetime member of the Ebensburg United Church of Christ (Congregational) and the lifetime member of former Highland Lodge, now Alma Lodge I.O.O.F. He was instrumental in forming the 20/40 Fund for the Ebensburg Ministerium, which provides assistance to families in need in the Ebensburg Area. He was involved in other philanthropic endeavors, Kermit and Art donated their farms to the PA Relief, the Mennonite Central Committee, to help assure that it stayed in farming, fulfilling a request of their mother. Kermit was well known to the area for his work ethic and charitable spirit. He was also fond of sharing his experiences with friends and acquaintances. Friends will be received from 4-8 p.m., Tuesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, at Ebensburg United Church of Christ, Pastor Chuck Davis, officiating. Interment at Lloyd Cemetery, Ebensburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Church of Christ Memorial Fund in Kermit’s memory.