Frank Thomas 1929-2024 and Liberata Lee Thomas 1925-2024

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 Jan. 15, 1951, and served his basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, earning himself the rank of PFC. He served in Germany with the 690th Field Artillery and was transferred to the Army Reserve on Dec. 21, 1952.

Lee was born Oct. 15, 1925, in Bugnara, Province L’Aquila, Italy, to Francesco and Maria Iandimarino.

While serving in Europe, Frank and Lee met and fell in love; they were married in Italy on Feb. 21, 1954. He was later honorably discharged on Dec. 11, 1956.

Frank worked for Youngstown Sheet and 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 Christmastime. Frank also was a member of the church choir and Lee was a member of their Altar & Rosary Society. They belonged to the church’s senior citizens group, where he served as vice president. They both enjoyed their bus trips to the casinos. This also is where Frank 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 For Tots, a former member of the Girard VFW, the American Legion, the Air Force Association and the Bugnatese 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 Bugnatese 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 and 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; 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 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, at Schiavone Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Niles, followed by burial with military honors in Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown.

Please visit www.schiavonefh.com to share condolences.

(special notice)