Foster Thumma
February 3, 1929 — August 2, 2014
Foster Eugene (Gene, Red) Thumma, 85, of Carlisle, "graduated to heaven" on Saturday August 2, 2014.
Born in Carlisle on February 3, 1929, he was the eldest son of the late Raymond (Piney) and Leona (Arbegast) Thumma.
Foster graduated Carlisle High School in 1947 and a few years later served in the Army as a medic during the Korean War. He retired as a state employee after 30 years of service. Foster attended and sang in the choir for many years at Community Baptist Church. He was an avid reader, card player and a great fan of gospel quartet music.
Gene was a gregarious talker; he had a story for every occasion. His life and his stories were dominated by the connections he had with family, friends and his Central PA neighbors. He had an undying interest in the everyday relationships and commonplace activities that keep a small town vibrant. The world is a quieter, emptier and less amusing place without him.
He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Thumma and a great grand daughter: Rejoice Naomi Landis.
He is survived by a son: Scott L. and his wife Jennifer Thumma of Connecticut; two daughters: Christine E. and her husband Michael J. Celona of Mt. Holly Springs and June E. and her husband Jack W. Landis of Coatesville; and eight grandchildren: Hannah, Katherine, Joseph, Caleb, Sarah, Benjamin, Madeline and Rebekah and five sisters-in-law: Lois Thumma of Carlisle, Eunice Schlegelmilch of Danville, Pa, Kay Leaman of Ohio, Norma Leaman of Florida and Betty Leaman of Lancaster, Pa.
A graveside service, with military honors, will be held at 1:00 p.m. August 9, 2014 at the North Middleton Church of God Cemetery, 2100 Waggoner’s Gap Road, Carlisle. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 P. M. Saturday, August 9, 2014 from the Faith Chapel, 1453 Holly Pike, Carlisle, with his son-in-law, the Rev. Jack W. Landis, officiating. There will be visitation with the family from 2:00 p.m. until time of service on Saturday at Faith Chapel.
Memorial contributions in Gene’s name may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Cumberland County, 150 Fairview Drive, Carlisle, Pa 17013 or Jacob’s Brothers Evangelistic Association, P O Box 68, Dillsburg, Pa 17019.
To express an on-line condolence, please visit www.ronanfh.com