Thomas Michael Dunn, 85, of Karns City, went to be with the Lord early Monday morning, August 1, 2022 at his home while in the company of his loving family.
Born in Chicora on November 29, 1936, Thomas was the son of the late Albert Hilton and Clare McNamee Dunn.
Tom was a 1954 graduate of Chicora High School, where he played basketball and baseball. In his early years, Tom was an active member of the former St. James Roman Catholic Church in Petrolia where he taught catechism and served as a lector and has been an active member of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora for many years.
He had been employed at Witco/Sonneborn in Petrolia for 43 years. Tom was the supervisor of petroleum wax and cable filler when he retired. He also served as the Fairview Twp. tax collector for 34 years.
Tom enjoyed sports. He coached and managed little league in Karns City, where his team won three straight Petroleum Valley Little League Championships and beat Oil City in a state playoff game. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up and play sports and other activities. He was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins fan and enjoyed golfing until a serious hand injury left him unable to golf. He and his wife, Judy, loved dancing and belonged to the Butler Two Steppers, where he was former president. Together, Tom and Judy made many new friends while they enjoyed vacationing in Florida during the winter months for the past 20 years. Tom also had served as president of the Karns City Quarterback Club and secretary/treasurer of the Petrolia Volunteer Fire Dept.
Tom Dunn was a man of faith and loved the Lord. Well-respected, honest, and humble, he was a role model; the best example of a true gentleman. He taught his children that “if you don’t have something good to say, just say nothing at all.” Tom was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished papa, and a kind-hearted friend. Tom was truly one of a kind!
Surviving is the love of his life, Judy Ekas Dunn, whom Tom married on June 8, 1957 at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora. Also surviving are six children, Michael Thomas Dunn and his wife, Debra, of Karns City, Becky Fuhrer of Butler, Stephen Dunn of Irvine, CA, Daniel S. Dunn and his wife, Laurie, of Bodega, CA; Kathy Setnar of Mars, and Angie McKenzie and her husband, Robert, of Atlanta, GA; 11 grandchildren, Tori (Justin),Tyler, Amber (Chris), Erik (Kristen), Ashley (Darren), Brad (Leeann) Brandon (Casey), Brayden, Blake, Olivia, and Peyton; 12 great grandchildren, Carter, Colt, Sylas, Trevor, Raygen, Tanner, Luca, Haddie, Isaac, Emma, Lilah, Harlee, and was looking forward to his 13th great grandson in January, Axel Thomas. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Alberta Dunn, two brothers-in-law, Daniel Ekas (Beverly) and Thomas Ekas, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Rager, Madeline Geibel, Father Didacus Dunn, Paul Dunn, John Dunn, and Norval Dunn.
Tom’s family wishes to express their heartfelt and sincere gratitude to all of his caregivers from the VNA Hospice, especially Tammy Heginbotham.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City, 128 Main Street, Karns City, from 3 – 7 p.m. Wednesday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora with the Rev. Matthew McClain, pastor of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, officiating. The family respectfully requests that all attending visitation or Mass wear a face covering. Interment will be in Bear Creek Cemetery, Petrolia. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.